If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Arc Angel: In the heat of a traumatising scuffle, you feel the mysterious heroine press you backwards with a disquieting glint of concern welling in her cerulean iris. The heavy downpour hammered against the thick canopy of shrubbery, beating its way through the murky foliage and pattering against your skull. Despite the cold chill your blood was boiled, a flood of tears trickling down your face from the moment the goddess released you from your spellbound state. The bottled emotions rattling through your mind where all let lose at once, your legs juddering as you continued to hold back the anger which was bursting to explode – even Impish would be torn apart by the near god-like antagonist. Despite the heartache you’d yielded to, the thought of further torture was just a few seconds in the making. Taking quite literally to her words, you withdraw the comatose bear and lifeless sack of toxins and dash to the nearest break in trees. It was tricky trying to make out the blurry branches camouflaged in a muffle of moss amidst the veil of tears masking your eyesight. You took whatever risk you had to, closing your eyes tight as you could, venerably rushing away from the skirmish and vowing never to look back. Desperately shambling over thick roots and waving past curtains of vinery, the sound of your own footsteps pounding against the damp soil giving you little else to think about. Less than a minute passes as you wrangle your way through the trickiest thicks of the Lost Jungle, the likes of which most trainers would shudder think of. Rolling up a muddy sleeve you wipe away the moist drips running down your cheeks, almost certain you’d gained enough leeway. You weren’t out of the woods just yet by any means, a collapsed block of timber catching your ankle as you scurried onward sending you flying off of your track!

The fall sends you tumbling face first against the spiked fragments of a buckled oak, fortunate that the torrential shower and sticky moss had weathered the blunt splinters to a point they shatter on your weight leaving less than a few grazes. You groan weakly, in need of a hero when all you had was an ethereal felon with a Dissociative identity disorder. Reaper settles his keystone on the log beside you, but he doesn’t bother to pick you up despite a familiar red fluid trickling down from your head onto the shattered remains of a lightning-stricken tree. You hadn’t fallen under however, the pitter-patter of rainfall still leaving you very much conscious as you weakly attempted to recompose yourself. You press your chafed fingers on the bits of log, digging your feet into the muddy thickets as you groaned in pain. Despite how physically and emotionally drained you felt there was no giving up now. You owed it to Pokémon who’d fought by your side. One leg at a time, you get to your feet, a distinct sensation of victory filling the air with the apathetic Spiritomb phasing to your side on queue. It doesn’t take long to sink in that you were still on a runaway, making your way through a small span of uneven terrain you’re left with another choice as for what to do next. You find yourself panting for air, scanning the leafy expanse for any source of life. There was something… a gentle crunching of dead leaves prickling your ears. A few low grunts cause your heart to skip a beat, but the noise was only that of a passing Stantler drinking from a shallow stream. There was a sharp silence, something didn’t feel right.

The strapping antelope’s eyes widen, its black pupils dilated as its rear stiffened. The cream coloured quadruped was less than subdued; breaking away from the hazy tributary as if scared out of its wits. You could only imagine the types of predator lurking in such dark stretches, with a distinct sense of empathy causing your body to instinctively curl into a defensive stance. The stag flinches at the very twitch of your limbs, you almost feel in a safe position until it crumples its face and fearfully stampedes forward in its own defence! Under usual circumstances you would’ve had a chance to swiftly react – perhaps send the mighty Macabre to telekinise a barrier – but is was all too quick for your all too tethered reactions. The antelope kicks through thickets of grass, mindlessly lunging forward in little less than the blink of an eye! A loud thump and you slam rearward down a drop of uneven terrain. The forest grows abruptly silent, you gasp in shock, wincing upward at the dusky sky unable to make a noise as blood pours up your throat. Your pale hands shake feebly, hovering over your blouse which was entirely severed and painted a deep red. Trying best not to succumb to the screaming pain you notice the Keystone rattle furiously beside you. More than it had ever had before. You could only hope Reaper would take away the pain, heal your broken bones and sew up your punctured lung - or at least scar the beast that had so chokingly rammed you against the toothed rocks of the cavernous valley. No such events happen under your witness. The pain grows too hard to bear, and you resist any further attempts of sitting up, the back of your head falling flat against the lifeless terra.

Lifted, all pain suddenly slips away, your spirit drifting through dark recesses almost through instinct. What you experienced now you where likely to forget, nothing felt right, but everything felt right. You look down at your former self, an empty carcass with no ties to you now. Not even your Pokémon could stop you from, transcending. Ahead, a bright light. Glorious warmth emanating from it. Your family, you feel your parents helping you break away from this world and into the next. There was so much light there, so much peace... Suddenly you feel your mystical journey grind to a halt. Your spirit faltering backward. It was a disgusting feeling. The warm light grew dimmer and colder, the sense of company from the two you had loved and lost weakening with it.

You start to feel again. Exhaustion, pain, misery, to name a few of the sensations now rattling through your mind. There was nothing motivating you to wake up, a thick quilt covering your body and you could only assume you’d been dreaming. The now dry locks of brunette drape softly against a plump pillow – you’d spend whatever time you could resting and face the burden of reality in the morning...

“Stacey...” a calm voice rasps faintly “Stacey, wake up my dear we don’t have much time”. With that, you feel a pair of warm hands caress your own motherly. You whimper jadedly, opening your eyes to what looked like a queen’s bedroom. Dawn had broken and the morning sun was serenely flickering against a stained glass window. The room was painted a chalky white, complimenting the dark brown oak of your four-poster bed and the adjacent dresser. As you look away from the extravagant features of the luxurious suite, you find yourself fixated on the cerulean eyes of the blonde goddess.

“I know what you’re about to ask, your Pokémon are fine”, she smiles, walking across the room gracefully unsure where to start, “What I’m more worried about... is you, Stacey”. Her weak smile suddenly slumps into a grave stare of concern, causing some confusion. You slowly slide away the silk duvet, terrified at what you may find. Inch after inch, you uncover the open wounds. The sight of a few sharp cuts sends you sick, but these scratches paled in comparison to the gaping puncture below your breast. Bones and organs you expected to never see where exposed so unnaturally. Tears begin trickling down your face as though you’d known all along, but you’d somehow repressed the sickening truth that things would never be the same. You’d come face to face with some of the most perilous feats, you had treasured a naive sense of invincibility for so long.

“I was lucky I managed to fend off those fiends before you crossed over, but I could not permanently revive you”, she pauses again, choosing her words very carefully which was all too difficult in this situation, “You’re dead Stacey, but you’ll remain here, with the living. I’m afraid you have unfinished business”. The woman paces to a door obscured by one of the oak trunks of your bed, turning its handle and letting in a warm breeze of fresh air.

“How about we have some tea, you’ve been up to so much in the past few days I think it’s time we have a chat”, the worry in her voice panics you somewhat, but alas you manage your way out of the cosy sheets and onto your feet. Your ragged attire had been replaced with a lavender nightie which gave a similar scent to its colour; thankfully it did a good job of covering your mortal wounds. You follow Iris into the bedroom’s balcony, where she was now sat at a circular table with two chairs. There was an ornate tea set laid out, small pots of sugar and honey complimenting a much larger teapot. Beyond the balcony you could hardly imagine the world was in such disarray, acres of blooming meadow flowing delicately against the soft breeze. You notice a cluster of Buneary peeking from their burrows, wheedling into wondering what’d become of Reaper and your other Pokémon.

“Please, sit down”, Iris gestures the bordering seat with a warm smile, “I can sense the cloud of confusion hazing in your mind. I’m sure you have many questions, so please, ask away”. Flashes of yesterday flutter back. A toothless hag muttering about destiny. A villainous shaman readying to destroy you for reasons you couldn’t possibly comprehend. You’d caught a glimpse of the Renegade Pokémon. Surely you’d need your questions answered before you went any further…

Emp, I just wanted to say thank you for continuing to provide me with updates, this was one of the best storylines I have encountered and I feel privileged that you chose to share it with me … oh and sorry for the late reply again ^-^;;;

The storm continued to rage almost drowning out the sounds of sorrow and anguish produced by the lone human lost in the forest. To an outsider this picture was a strange one, it almost looked to be a beautifully haunting painting, depicting such deep emotions and colours, but to Stacey it was all too real. This was a nightmare she had been forced to endure from the very moment she entered Memory Lane to right now she had been played like a puppet. There was a greater force pulling on her strings watching her fight against it only to fail and dance for them in a depraved game. She was beginning to feel that she had been chosen to suffer from the start, given a chance of happiness for it to be robbed from her time and time again. If this was another test she had failed and she didn’t care, she no longer cared. She had picked up new friends along the way only to drag them down into her misery making them suffer all the evils coming to her did that make her any better than the wicked creatures torturing her? Stacey’s mind had drawn itself into the dark corners she saved all her fear, sorrow, negativity and horrid memories and she was struggling to get back out. With only Reaper available to bring her out of one of her depressions and not knowing how it looked like she could very well lie in the dirt and rain forever. This time however she felt something that drew her out, her head was throbbing and a thick liquid was trickling out of a gash there. Stacey frowned her tears slowing as she began to shake, her body very cold and suffering, it was acting to survive and wouldn’t let the feeble mind draw it to death. Stacey blinked and saw Reaper staring at her with a look of almost concern … he had never shown concern for anything before. As he saw her focus on him his expression changed to indifference as he searched the forest for any more dangers then telling Stacey to move.

Her whole body ached and pulling her wrist from underneath her Stacey pressed her fingers that were tingling from loss of blood flow to the log that had caused her injuries. Reaching her other hand to the wood she shifted legs into a kneeling position before slowly making it to her feet wobbling very unsteadily. Stacey felt a groan of pain escape her mud-covered lips and held a hand to her head drawing it away to see the blood dotting her palm. Stacey sighed now back to reality and out of the recesses of her mind as she tried to draw focus on what she was doing. Reaper was by her side immediately and was staring back at where they came, that’s right, they were running. Snorting Stacey felt a little comfort in anger as she came to the conclusion that she was good at that either, can’t even run without falling.

“Right,” she muttered quietly as she scanned the forest feeling the harsh rainfall batter her and in her weak state she nearly fell over again. Suddenly a noise filled the air, a soft grunt and the crunch of leaves under foot and Stacey felt her heart stop, had they caught up to her whilst she had been lying prone. Not daring to look she slowly moved her head knowing that any fast movement would sending her crashing to the ground again she saw the cause of the noise. A Stantler was drinking from a nearby stream but as a deadly silence suddenly filled the air, the sound of her increasing heart beat filing her ears Stacey had the awful feeling that something was dreadfully wrong. The Stantler brought its head up from its drink and its whole body stiffened as if sensing some deadly predator lurking in the undergrowth. Stacey felt her own body shift into a defensive position hoping to be ready to ward off any attack when Stantler turned to her seeing her movements and panicking. Its body shifts and it begins to stampede in defence … towards her! Stacey couldn’t think, couldn’t move, couldn’t save herself, all she could do was stare in shock and panic as the Stantler closed the distance between them in a heartbeat. She blinked and it happened, the Stantler rammed her, its antlers forcing into her abdomen the skin weaker than the hardened bone as they speared through the flesh. Stacey didn’t even feel the pain as she was thrown through the air and down a slope of uneven terrain her body breaking in new places with every impact she made with the ground.

She came to stop at the bottom sliding like a broken doll along the mud before she felt anything … the pain was excruciating. She couldn’t scream as blood began to force its way up through her throat her lungs and stomach punctured, the former trying their best to continue with their job futilely. Weakly and with shaking hands she reached up to her chest feeling the holes their blood pouring traitorously from her body staining the ground as a large puddle formed. All she felt was shock as the pain overwhelmed her and tears ran from her eyes again. She didn’t want to die, why did this happen? It had been so quick, so pointless, she had hoped when she eventually met her end she would be very old surrounded by those who loved her or die heroically in an act of bravery. But no, a startled Stantler had rammed her trying to defend itself, as if she could have caused it any harm in her previous state. Stacey felt her bones broken pushing through her skin, her legs bent in an awkward and ugly position that would leave her paralysed if she lived, not that was going to be an issue. Reaper quickly floated over to her and looked down in shock too not knowing what to do, soon he would be left alone with a dead trainer in a forest with the evils of the world hunting him down and he didn’t like that idea. He didn’t like or love anyone but this woman was tolerable at least and though he had seen many worse deaths this, caused many of them himself it seemed a waste, pointless just like his trainer had been thinking.

Stacey turned her head weakly to see Reaper as tears clouded her eyes. ‘Reaper, please can you not heal me? Help me I.. I don’t want to die!’ she begged mentally, not able to speak. She knew he couldn’t and it was pointless asking but she had to try for if a miracle occurred and she had missed the opportunity for it she would regret it later. She felt that next, only a minute had passed and her body was drawn closer to death, but she felt and thought so much in such a short space of time. She regretted so much, not spending more time with her Pokemon, watching them grow old, finding a partner of her own, someone to spend the rest of her life loving and caring for. She regretted the wrongs she had never made right, the things she had never dared to try, she regretted dying As her heart pumped the last of her blood uselessly away from her body to the ground she felt the pain disappear. She whispered goodbye to Reaper as blood ran from her mouth and she was gone.

She was floating, away from her body, away from the harsh cold and cruel world and into the bright sky. It felt so wrong but so right at the same time, she could see her body on he ground below her, a picture of death and suffering but no longer felt anything for it; she had severed all ties to that now. She knew that she was leaving her Pokemon behind but she no longer cared where she was going was bright and warm and peaceful. Tears of joy ran from her non-existant eyes as she felt her parents, her brother drawing her to them, she would see them again, oh how she had longed for that.

“Mummy, Daddy … I’m coming home,” she called to them feeling like a child all over reaching out her hands wanting to embrace them feeling close just for the action. Suddenly her journey grinded to a halt and she felt herself moving away from the light. A sick feeling filled her and the light grew cold and distant.

“No … NO I want to be with you, let me be with you!” she yelled as she felt them slip away and darkness surround her.

Her senses began to re-awaken, her hearing first as light noises filled her ears followed by touch, her skin prickled at the familiar sensations. It felt like she had a thick quilt covering her body warm and heavy, it provided little comfort as her misery and exhaustion quickly followed. She must have been dreaming, what a cruel dream for her mind to conjure up, that was the closest she had felt to her family in the longest of times, she was even torturing herself how ironic. She remembered dying, had that been a dream too, she didn’t feel like she was dying. Too tired to think anymore Stacey decided to just rest and leave the thinking till morning. Just as she had begun to drift off again she heard someone calling her name and wrinkled her nose and brow hoping they’d see she was asleep and leave her alone. No such luck as they called to her again rubbing her hands with their own, they were warm she could feel that much but she didn’t care to wake up. The female voice tried again alerting her that they had little time to act, act for what? Groaning in annoyance Stacey opened her eyes blinking the sleep from them only see sunlight as dawn greeted her, it was morning? How typical. As she became more alert she saw that she was in a gorgeous bedroom in a luxurious bed, the room was light and airy and light beautifully by the sun pouring through the stained glass windows. Stacey turned to see the culprit behind her too early awakening when she saw the beautiful blonde from before, she looked like a goddess perhaps she was one and had she saved her? What about her Pokemon, were they alright?

As if sensing her concerns she eased them by telling her that her Pokemon were safe, that was a relief if nothing else. “What I’m more worried about... is you, Stacey” she said looking weakly at her as Stacey frowned, what about her? It was as if her words had triggered something inside her as the door to her memories opened and she was flooded with the pictures and sounds of the past day. Shaking and already feeling tears prick at her eyes again she pushed the quilt off her body revealing a lavender coloured nightie and pulling it up inch by inch she began to feel discrepancies in her shape and soon she discovered why. No longer soaked in blood she could see the damage caused by the Stantler in its attack, there were gaping holes under her breast and in her abdomen, not covered by bandages to hide them no her wounds reveal her organs and bones were on show for all to see. Staring at them she felt herself shake more and more as she hyperventilated before roughly shoving the material back down her body and pulling the quilt up to her neck. She cried again, it felt that was all she was good for as she realised that she had died, no-one could be walking around with a wound like that and still be alive. She remembered dying, it had hurt, it was pointless, but then, she hadn’t been dreaming, she was torn away from her family to be like this, what was she? Deep down she knew the truth but had hoped it was a lie, part of her had felt invincible, she had been thrust into the harshest situations and had come out on top and she had her Pokemon with her but this had truly made her realise how vulnerable and weak she truly was.

“I was lucky I managed to fend off those fiends before you crossed over, but I could not permanently revive you”, she said pausing as I choosing her words carefully. “You’re dead Stacey, but you’ll remain here, with the living. I’m afraid you have unfinished business”. Stacey turned to face her again wiping the tears from her eyes tired of feeling so weak. So it was her that had stopped her crossing over, going to what could be considered Heaven to be with her family. She couldn’t be too mad her after all the evil ones had been the ones to cause all this and she had tried to revive her fully but been unable to do so. She was dead, she had said that much but was walking with the living with unfinished business, she felt she had a lot of that did that mean she would be like this forever, a walking corpse? The woman walks over to an oak door and pulls it open letting the warm air from outside the room to breeze in.

“How about we have some tea, you’ve been up to so much in the past few days I think it’s time we have a chat”, she suggests still sounding worried and concerned. Stacey guessed that she was concerned about Dim Sun, he made Stacey concerned too but now she was dead he didn’t seem to matter, she felt like nothing mattered. Sighing she pushed the covers from her body and slipped out of bed thankful that her wounds were covered by her new attire and followed the woman out onto the balcony. There was a large circular table set out with chairs for the two of them and upon its surface there was an ornate tea set with milk, honey and sugar ready to be served. Turning away from the table Stacey walked to the edge of the balcony and looked out at the acres of woodland stretching as far as the eye could see, it was beautiful and a far cry from the turbulent vicious jungle she had been running through not long ago. She wondered how far away this sanctuary was from where she had died when the woman, Iris if she recalled correctly, interrupted her thoughts. She offered her a seat offering to answer any questions she had and she had many not all of them relevant or pertinent. She walked over to the chair and sat down gently, feeling fragile wondering if she could damage her deceased body further. Stacey’s mind wandered back to the beginning, from whence this all started it all seemed to link together somehow and perhaps Iris could shed some light on it all. She stared at the tea set and wondered if she could even eat or drink in this state, she didn’t feel hungry or thirsty, she just felt …

“I feel numb,” she voiced her end train of thought still staring at the tea. “I don’t know if I can feel anything other than numb, no that’s not true, I am jealous. I see the life out there and feel envious, why do they get to live and I don’t? Why should I die, what did I do deserve this?” she asked wanting to vent her frustrations. It was a selfish question but right now she wanted to be selfish, why not after all. Most people who died were done and didn’t have to suffer this, but not her, she had to walk amongst the living, a fraud, something so unnatural she felt as if the world would rat her out and she would have to meet death all over again. After composing herself she ran her fingers round the empty tea cup enjoying the sensation of feeling knowing that she shouldn’t be.

“I suppose I should ask something a little more relevant. How do you know who I am? How does that demon who I am? Who are you both you have abilities no human should?” she started with and as soon as she started she felt she could stop, she had wanted answers for so long now and someone had offered to give her answers, she would ask her everything; it wasn’t as if her dead lungs would require the oxygen so could keep talking forever.

“This all started in a different country altogether, I walked along a road of memories and met an old woman, she told me of a destiny in a new world,” and Stacey proceeded to tell her tale. As she move through her recollection of events hoping it would help Iris answer her questions she remembered a sonnet that had been spoken before she came here. Stopping her tale she spoke the words,

“Commemorations are in order,
Relieve your anxiety,
Welcome new member,
To the Dim Sun Society…”

Stacey frowned before continuing on with her story explaining the events that led up to this point stopping to catch breath on habit.

“How is it my destiny to die? Especially like that, seems like a pointless destiny to me.” She said bitterly before sighing, she needed to get off this pity train. “Dim Sun mentioned Giratina, I saw it when I first came here, it charged right past me. I remember feeling amazed, it was beautiful, a ghost I thought I’d never see. What does he want with it?”

“You mentioned unfinished business, I feel one part of that would be finding a safe home for all my Pokemon as I will be gone permanently again I need to know they’re safe. There are many things I feel I still need to do but perhaps my real unfinished business is to find my destiny, and if it is to stop this demon, to help you do that.” Stacey finished talking leaning back in her chair hoping that she could some answers already prepared for the possibility that they wouldn’t be what she wanted to hear.

Arc Angel: The shy breeze blows bits of pinkish cherry blossoms off the gorgeous sycamores, the signs of spring twisting up the whitewash ramparts of the beautiful tower and rippling on top of each teacup. Several others would find their senses intoxicated by the heavenly vista, but your heart couldn’t have sunk much deeper. The unnatural splits across chest lure a sickly sensation, complemented by a cold numbness that ebbs to the tips of your fingers. You where now sat drinking tea for a much needed change of pace, with a powerful lady you’d barely had a chance to speak to. She gently stirs a dollop of honey into the tea, all ears and hoping to shed light on the mysterious events despite your busy schedule. So many questions were left unanswered, and if you missed a chance now they’d continue to eat away at you. With fine opportunity presenting itself, a flood of questions involuntarily spew from your mouth leaving you little time to catch breath. Iris smiles weakly, placing her tea cup on a saucer.

“I’m sorry, it seems my attempt at calming your unsettled soul has only aggravated it...” she pauses apologetically, “Your loss of appetite was to be expected, and I’m sure you’ll soon find death brings out the worst in people; detached from the natural beauty of the world, surrounded by a mess of bleakness and grief. And I’m afraid to add this could be it, there’s not much I can do for you now Stacey. Cheating death is a very dark practice, there are consequences too...” she sighs softly, breaking contact with you rather awkwardly as she’d quite bluntly given you the answers you didn’t want to hear. Of course you already knew the answer to this question before you asked it, moving onto a more relevant issue. How did she know who you were? How did the demon so fluently hiss your occasional alias as though you’d once met?

“Well... there’s no easy way to answer those questions”, she says, stirring her cup now for no other reason than a casual distraction, “I’ve had my powers for as long as I can remember, I was born long before time itself along with the other immortals. The ancient civilisations cultivated around these jungles worshipped me as a goddess”, she continues, blushing modestly, “I share a symbiotic relationship with nature. One cannot live without the other, and even now as my beautiful jungle has been plagued I feel weaker and weaker. I’m becoming mortal now Stacey, and I won’t me much use in combat for much longer”

“Syrian – the cloaked demon - is not an immortal, although he is thousands of years old” she answers, only managing to fabricate a further string of questions “I should explain, when humans first started colonising on this Island, I felt urged to endow them with bountiful harvests - I fell in love with them. My naivety only led to their downfall. They advanced rapidly, their unstable empire splitting into factions and waging war. Every tree they set ablaze felt like a pin prick... For the first time I felt angry, heartbroken, and through my experimental urges the mighty empire fell with no exertion. Whilst most of the civilians were wise enough to retreat, a few retaliated... I killed anyone in my way, it fills me with regret”.

“However, one of the civilians, a young child, survived. Filled with so much hate and fuelled with revenge he delved into the darkest types of magic. His immortality comes from a deal he made with a dark Shadow Court as he was growing too old to fulfil his retribution; they will keep him young with sacrifices of other peoples' youth. Syrian has been very hard to keep track of over the years, always travelling as his plan slowly came into fruition. Every century or so, he would settle in a region, starting a family whilst surreptitiously recruiting lost souls for his evil cult. History would continue to repeat itself; time and time again would he sacrifice both his family and followers through his ties with the Shadow Court. Through these unnatural dealings he has become less and less human”, a chill runs down your spine as visions of the demon like creature scar your already rattled mind, “However a human sacrifice will no longer suffice, the time has come for him to execute his boiling revenge”. She pauses, taking a sip of her tea to sooth the corporeal goosebumps dimpling down her nimble arms.

“As for Giratina”, she continues, “The gatekeeper has an uncanny attraction to death and destruction. His appearance has been seen as a bad omen for thousands of years, but that’s not necessarily true. I got a ‘sense’ that Giratina was trying to help us earlier, but I can’t keep myself from wondering if Syrian planned on this all along. The ghost has some unnatural abilities; I can only assume Giratina will play a pivotal role in Syrian’s plot. Perhaps the two have crossed paths before”, she dazes up at the sky, the sun quickly climbing to its zenith.

“It’s reaching midday, I know you need to know more but we need to go...” the woman’s face pales with anxiety, her arms trembling as she tries to hast to a standing. Before she can steady the ornate teacup on its accompanying saucer a trembling sensation climbs to the tips of her fingers. The cup slips through her nimble fingers much to your concern, rolling off of the fancy table and smashing into pieces against the marble-strewn balcony. It was just a cup, but you couldn’t help wondering if Iris was becoming all too frail to be of assistance. She blushes as though embarrassed, however this emotion quickly subsides as she rises to her feet with a slight waltz of dizziness. She regains a certain sense of poise as she storms back into the guest room, although her slight lapse in strength is enough to shake your confidence in the mission ahead. Following, a gentle breeze of warm air hugging the balcony and gently wafting the double doors shut. The windowed doors painted a reflection of the bustling horizon behind, although a distinct absence of your own weak smile was enough to reiterate your recent demise.

A few staircases and locked doors later, you find yourself in tow of the deepest dungeons of the grand palace, the rough cobbled floors and prison-like vents a stark contrast to the fairytale above. You could tell by the look of unease painted all over your hostess’s face she wouldn’t dare enter this part of the castle on a normal day. Minutes fly by as the narrow corridors become ever more moss-strewn, the soily ceiling barely sustained by the cobble debris – weakly illuminated by neon-hued fungi. Iris slowed down, it was a dead end! Iris didn’t say a word, outstretching one arm and stroking the foliage which, on touch, appeared to spew into her fingertips. You could only assume it was some sort of makeshift combination lock as she remained unusually silent. The walls looked bare and medieval-like. Just a few paces ahead were the blind alley had been substituted with a fortified door. Iris swung it open, the mystique far too much for you to pass up on.

“Welcome to the Sanctuary”, the deity drolls, “Whilst your Pokémon are unharmed, in your deathly state your ties with them have been severed. Quite ironic indeed, considering you’re a ghost type specialist”. She didn’t bother to laugh at her own joke, pacing around the circular room which was parallel to the two tombs you’d visited – only it had a scale model of the jungle continent in its centre, like what you’d find in a war room. “I can’t... remember... the last time I set foot in this place, Stacey. I haven’t needed to”. She busily scatters through countless documents and books which appeared to have fallen off a bookshelf long-ago. She mulls over these trinkets and picks up a dull oil-lamp. You could only assume she was casting it aside in search of something more ‘special’, until she places it on the centre of the model. It was black rimmed and covered in dust – an old oil lamp. She smiles coyly as low and behold the trinket began rattling wildly as though pulsing with immense power. Suddenly, a small orb of emerald the size of your hand flickers out of its tip and begins bobbing in your direction! Its glow was mesmerizing and hypnotising. It flutters beside you, giving you a good glimpse of its features: a swollen head the shape of an onion freckled with two baby-blue eyes with black rims, all topped off with a pair of antennae. The fairy-like Pokemon giggles into its hand, bobbing back to the room’s centre.

“Spirit”, Iris pleas, “We need your assistance in summoning a warrior, my friend Stacy has been separated from her Pokémon”. The fairy nods intently, facing you as though she could see straight into your soul. Her emerald glow grows, burning so intensely you feel your pale corpse throb wildly. She spins across the room, leaving green dust in her wake which showers downward. The translucent greenish sand comes together before your eyes, molding itself into three animated, jelly-like silhouettes. The fairy's luminance softens as she hovers a few feet above the dim oil lamp.

“I can find one of your friends if you like!”, the sprite squeaks, the silhouetted illustrations becoming more defined and discernible, “How about a Pokemon from your past, huh?” suddenly the leftmost illustration, your since evolved Nincada, scuttles toward you warmly, its quirky mannerisms paralleling the time you’d first laid eyes on each over. “Yeah she’s still not that tough, but could come in handy!” The Celebi agrees with herself, the illustration puffing into inexistence.

“Or a Pokemon from just now, the present! Gee, I like presents!” The spirit spins on the spot, however it’s Impish who runs up to you this time, licking your face like some sort of love-crazed dog. “He’s your best friend and one of your toughest Pokémon, maybe you should pick him!” it continues giddily, the translucent imp and saliva dissipating.

“Or a friend from the future? The future is always changing... but this one is from a future where you never had a chance to reunite with your Pokemon. How sad?” Celebi enthusiasm dissipates, the silhouette of a gallant warrior pacing forward. He looked hardened and mysterious, his body veiled in a red cloak. Bowing in unquestionable loyalty, the Gallade fizzles into darkness like the two before it. “He seems the toughest for sure, and mysterious too! Pick him!”

“Ignore the spirit”, Iris says, Celebi blowing a raspberry in response, “No one else can influence your decision, but just remember, once it’s been made there’s no going back...”

---

“A good decision”, Iris says; your only Pokeball now grasped tighter than any other had been, “The spirit can teleport us to the edge of the Garden, but we’ll need to travel the rest on foot”. Now in true haste, she fingers the oil lamp in one hand and outstretches the other in your direction. You faithfully grab her hand, the fairy buzzing into the lamp as your surrounding displaced in the blink of an eye... You dizzily stumble to your feet, daylight stinging your eyes and the wildgrass cutting against your garments. Iris was stood tall just a stones throw ahead, the oil lamp no longer in her possession. Whilst the castle could be seen in the distance, nothing stood ahead of Iris... except for... Sky? Perhaps you’d reached a cliff-edge, you trick yourself into hearing the crashing waves beating away against a rocky face of rock – almost as though some supernatural subconscious was already alerted and terrified of what lay ahead. Iris seemed to physically emanate how such a subconscious would feel, her face coloured whiter than usually, gulping as she courageously upped her stride. She didn’t seem like your typical immortal.

“I’m sure you’re aware that you’re not in Lyanazia anymore, Stacy” Iris said casually, “My kingdom is hidden in the sky, higher than the tip of even the beak of Mount Eyrie could dare to reach... I’m sure it is not the strangest thing you’ve heard, didn’t you say you came from the Cloud Garden?” She smiles, one which you can’t reciprocate as this seemingly unimportant revelation only posed the question of how you were going to get to Lyanazia. “Close your eyes, and jump on the count of three”, she says almost anxiously, by which point the sound of footprints had come to a standstill. The wind gushed against the cliff face like crashing waves, as if the Island was suspended by a sea of thick clouds kicking up a rough storm. Close your eyes? That hardly seemed fair. Your instincts where itching you to do otherwise, you had a right to see what was ahead. If you’d chose to follow such instincts you’d feel your legs quiver like jelly as a sense of vertigo coursed through your veins causing your heart to sink with both fear and regret. An unnatural purple vortex veiled what would have otherwise been a birds-eye view of the Lyanazian continent and its neighbouring Islands thousands of miles below – some of which you’d visited years ago. However the purple carpet was much too prevalent; tongues of electricity coursing through it with the unvarying rumble of thunder. It pulsed with life despite its emanation of threat. If you’d dared yourself to look over the cliff over Iris’s best wishes you’d surely be flooded with second thoughts. Had death by some means immortalised your pain threshold? It certainly didn’t settle your intense emotions, or your sense of better judgement which was begging you to think things through. Iris had her eye’s shut tightly, loosely swaying backward and forward in a somewhat unsettling trance which was sure enough drowned out by the bellowing maelstrom afoot...

“Three, Two, One”

Xiaolin Temple

Hayward: Hayward: With what you feel is time to spare you confidently amble toward Yuri intent on lifting her spirit. Suddenly! You feel yourself drift into a state of semi-consciousness; your eyes unwillingly flickering a tint of violet as your limbs involuntarily stiffen. Your screams of surprise are suppressed by a guise of thick disillusionment, your lips puckering and your tongue twisting as you attempt to string together a sentence. “IT WOULD BE UNWISE OF ME TO KEEP THE GREAT MASTER SENSEI WAITING” you drone, forced into a hunched bow without the slightest continuation of empathy. Yuri’s face is painted with surprise, but before you can even look at it your neck swings like a submarine’s periscope – homing in on the grande sanctuary. Automatically your legs limp forward, carelessly brushing through the flowery thickets and causing a feeding flock of Pidgey to haphazardly scatter to the rooftops as you take no consideration into their wellbeing. A local with a small sack of breadcrumbs shifts you a dirty look which you are quick to ignore, your head screaming to take control of your disobedient body. Your senses were fortunately rife, and whilst you were in no control of your actions you could at keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious. Suddenly! a podgy parrot-like pokemon flicked into view in the corner of your eye, perched alone on one of the village’s crooked rooftops. It was round and still, its main colouration accentuated by streaks of red, yellow and black. Its slit-eyes were fixated on yours, strikingly emanating a violet tint which seemed to be agonizingly persuasive. As the two of you crossed paths it hopped light-footedly from the overhanging rooftop onto your head. The stiff feeling all over was quick to subside, as though contact with the Tiny Bird’s contact had unshackled your telepathic ties.

“NEVER KEEP SENSEI WAITING” the bird flits telepathically, the sheer volume causing your scull to rattle in pain, “NEVER”. Despite being outsized the bird had already displayed a level of prowess you weren’t ready to match. You courteously obey, as if held hostage by the bird whose fork-like toes nested against your temple could just as easily have been a revolver. The monastery in sight was nestled on a steep hilltop budding with flowers, decorated waterfalls spewing crystalline water downward and into a knee-deep moat. You step past a small, arched bridge, followed by a flight of steep stairs marking the entrance of the ornate building. Yuri’s wellbeing didn’t seem as important as it had done a few minutes ago, Mt. Eyrie’s beak now kissing the golden sun perhaps signifying the mysterious bird was doing you a favour.

“Hale San”, Sensei nods before raising one thick eyebrow, “I see you have met one of the village’s ancient protectors? It is surely a sign of great admiration to see you have taken so well to our mountain settlement. Perhaps you will join me in the Zen Garden?” The elder leads the way, dwarved by several ornate pillars painted a magnificent gold. You barely notice as the avian unlatches from your scalp, hopping into the shrubbery as you start making tracks. You pass several pedestals holding ancient artefacts; pear-shaped pottery, valuable-looking scrolls, statues of legendary Pokemon, the works. Whilst awe-inspired by such rich culture, you can’t help letting some appreciation go amiss until your long-awaited reunion with Medeo. It seemed somewhat unfair he’d been given a free reign over such a quant patch of culture whilst you’d been doing chores. In tow of the old man you find the marble-strewn confides of the monastery abruptly replaced with neatly trimmed grass – the soothing sound of trickling water messaging your senses. Ahead lay a 100x100 meter patch of flat land, decorated with a small pond surrounded by odd clusters of black rocks. On the opposite side of the Zen Garden lay a box of sand which had been neatly raked – perhaps due to religious or recreational needs. A few trees coloured the warm vista too – the cherry blossoms shading a few small Pokemon. Jutted at the roots of one of the trees a stout yoga practitioner, practicing a difficult plough pose, slowely opened his eyes which had been crunched in deep meditation. The primate beams, somersaulting to his feet and leaping toward you in a warm embrace.

“I’m pleased to say your Medeo is in perfect health, thanks of course to the mystical properties of the Zen Garden – rumoured to accelerate growth and power of Pokemon and human alike Level Up for Medeo”, he smiles for a moment, before gazing shrewdly at the roof to your rear. You instinctively copy this motion, almost expecting the unpleasant glare of an ‘ancient protector’. Instead, a magnificent statue stares downward, its stone-cold gaze sending a magnificent shiver down your spine. The statue was of a muscular warrior, suspended between a pillar and the arc-shaped roof. Sleek Dragonair statues wisped around his muscular figure, their jewelled necklaces glittering in the sun’s warm bask.

“Our Sanctuary has a long and honoured history. It was founded in the year 338 AD by the great warrior Yue Fei, who carved this monastery from the mountain using only this sword, the Lotus Blade”, this statement posed more questions than it could have possibly answered, painting a mysterious guise on what seemed like a simple farming settlement bounded in ornate culture. “The Lotus Blade is no ordinary sword. In the wrong hands, it could be very dangerous” he continues, now fixated on the warriors arms which were crossed firmly against his stone chest. It appeared there was something missing from the statue – before you could ask, Sensei interrupted, now pacing into the sanctuary and unravelling one of the scrolls. He quickly reravelled it and tossed it your way, “It contains the legend of Yue Fei, should you chose to read it...”

“The protectors have recently prophesied the Lotus Blade will be stolen!” the old man echoes gravely, “Yue Fei took the weapon to his grave, its whereabouts somewhere within Mantis Cave. I can only assume that is why you wound up here Hale San, destiny has entwined our paths”. His sandled feet skittle across the marble floorboards, now standing at the sanctuary’s edge with a bird’s eye view of the village. “This journey will be nothing like herding Mareep or preparing food, there is a long road ahead Hale San. If you should so chose to end your journey, Medeo is ready to travel. Otherwise, you shall journey to Mantis Cave by Rapidash tomorrow morning, Yuri will assist you” The wise man scratches his beard and looks intently in your direction, what will you do?

The Safari Zone: A sun blazed vista rolling over acres of the empire’s land, the Safari Zone is renowned for its stunning savannahs filled with rumbling wildlife. For a small fee, the Lyanazian tourist bureau allows travellers to explore the vast region in hopes of capturing rare and exotic Pokémon. Trainers need their wits about them, as the walkabout outlaws any unruly conduct. Enter through a state of the art Pokémon Center just a beeline from the pier and let your wild side to take charge!

Rules for entering the Safari Zone:
- The game costs a Rare Candy to play at which point you’ll be given 5 Safari Balls and a Pokénav
- You must only take one Pokémon into the park, this Pokémon will assist you in capturing wild Pokémon
- Once you use your 5 Safari Balls, your adventure ends and you are transported via your Pokénav back to The Pokémon Centre
- Should your partner Pokémon black-out, your adventure ends and you are transported via your Pokénav back to The Pokémon Centre
- Your partner Pokémon can only be used for self-defence, attacking wild Pokémon will result in you losing 2 of your Safari Balls
- Using your partner Pokémon to create traps, gather food or gather recourses will not be recognised as an offence.

Karmas stood in front of the Safari Zone, taking a deep breath. It had been a while since he had been to Lyzania, and the results of his last adventure were still a little hazy. Standing beside him was Erra, his Shadow Chingling. Well standing wasn't the right word choice, it was more floating and he was floating around Karmas in erratic circles. The little pokemon was a very mischievous one and liked to find trouble wherever he went.

"Are you ready to go for a romp through the Safari Zone?" asked Karmas.

The shadow pokemon looked at Karmas and started to vigorously shake his head. Taking the pokemon's response as a yes he grabbed a Candy out of his bag and walked into the Poke Centre.

Food Guy: A loud foghorn pierces through the exotic bird squawks as your ferry departs, the wild safari just a beeline ahead. Welcome to the Safari Zone! A Park Ranger supplies you with a Survival Pack which conveniently straps around your waist: housing Safari Balls, Full Restores, an Escape Rope and a Map of the Island. With that you pass through the wooden archway and into the safari, your roguish Chingling coiled around your belt like a keychain. A warm breeze of hot air courses through the forest, causing the palm trees around you to hush as their verdant tops sway to and fro. It's a nice day to go strolling through the jungle. The sun is high in the sky, the clouds are far and few, and the forest is anything but humid. The fresh air cleanses your mind as you continue down the winding track marks of a 4x4 vehicle. After much trekking, you decide to rest on a rocky bluff on the side of the path. From the bluff, you realize just how vast the forest is amidst the valley. Several dips in landscape span miles ahead, the terrain becoming progressively mountainous. Suddenly! A nearby ‘snap’ causes your ears to prick. A small Slakoth could be seen hanging by its hind legs on the upper canopy of trees not far above, lazily masticating on a bunch of banana leaves.

Food Guy: A loud foghorn pierces through the exotic bird squawks as your ferry departs, the wild safari just a beeline ahead. Welcome to the Safari Zone! A Park Ranger supplies you with a Survival Pack which conveniently straps around your waist: housing Safari Balls, Full Restores, an Escape Rope and a Map of the Island. With that you pass through the wooden archway and into the safari, your roguish Chingling coiled around your belt like a keychain. A warm breeze of hot air courses through the forest, causing the palm trees around you to hush as their verdant tops sway to and fro. It's a nice day to go strolling through the jungle. The sun is high in the sky, the clouds are far and few, and the forest is anything but humid. The fresh air cleanses your mind as you continue down the winding track marks of a 4x4 vehicle. After much trekking, you decide to rest on a rocky bluff on the side of the path. From the bluff, you realize just how vast the forest is amidst the valley. Several dips in landscape span miles ahead, the terrain becoming progressively mountainous. Suddenly! A nearby ‘snap’ causes your ears to prick. A small Slakoth could be seen hanging by its hind legs on the upper canopy of trees not far above, lazily masticating on a bunch of banana leaves.

Karmas strapped the Survival Pack around his waist, taking note of what was inside the pack, and he walked through a large wooden door, into the Safari Zone. Nearly immediately he was hit by a warm breeze, the temperature of the wind a lot higher than it was outside, but it was still pleasant to walk through. The trainer started to look around as he walked, trying to keep an eye out for pokemon that he may be interested in capturing, though he had to remember that Erra wasn't allowed to just attack a pokemon, the pokemon had to attack them first. He kept on walking, and eventually the trainer got to a rocky bluff. Sitting down, Erra uncoiling himself from Karmas' waist, the trainer looked at the valley in front of him, when he heard a snap. Immediately turning he saw a Slakoth dangling from a tree, munching on some leaves. Seeing the pokemon Erra jumped to attention, staring at the sloth with his creepy little eyes. "Erra, no," warned Karmas, "Don't even think about attacking that Slakoth, instead I want you to use Confusion to bring us over some of those banana leaves, and perhaps I can use them to coax Slakoth over."

Also I must ask a question, does putting the pokemon to sleep count as directly attacking them?

Hayward: Hayward: With what you feel is time to spare you confidently amble toward Yuri intent on lifting her spirit. Suddenly! You feel yourself drift into a state of semi-consciousness; your eyes unwillingly flickering a tint of violet as your limbs involuntarily stiffen. Your screams of surprise are suppressed by a guise of thick disillusionment, your lips puckering and your tongue twisting as you attempt to string together a sentence. “IT WOULD BE UNWISE OF ME TO KEEP THE GREAT MASTER SENSEI WAITING” you drone, forced into a hunched bow without the slightest continuation of empathy. Yuri’s face is painted with surprise, but before you can even look at it your neck swings like a submarine’s periscope – homing in on the grande sanctuary. Automatically your legs limp forward, carelessly brushing through the flowery thickets and causing a feeding flock of Pidgey to haphazardly scatter to the rooftops as you take no consideration into their wellbeing. A local with a small sack of breadcrumbs shifts you a dirty look which you are quick to ignore, your head screaming to take control of your disobedient body. Your senses were fortunately rife, and whilst you were in no control of your actions you could at keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious. Suddenly! a podgy parrot-like pokemon flicked into view in the corner of your eye, perched alone on one of the village’s crooked rooftops. It was round and still, its main colouration accentuated by streaks of red, yellow and black. Its slit-eyes were fixated on yours, strikingly emanating a violet tint which seemed to be agonizingly persuasive. As the two of you crossed paths it hopped light-footedly from the overhanging rooftop onto your head. The stiff feeling all over was quick to subside, as though contact with the Tiny Bird’s contact had unshackled your telepathic ties.

“NEVER KEEP SENSEI WAITING” the bird flits telepathically, the sheer volume causing your scull to rattle in pain, “NEVER”. Despite being outsized the bird had already displayed a level of prowess you weren’t ready to match. You courteously obey, as if held hostage by the bird whose fork-like toes nested against your temple could just as easily have been a revolver. The monastery in sight was nestled on a steep hilltop budding with flowers, decorated waterfalls spewing crystalline water downward and into a knee-deep moat. You step past a small, arched bridge, followed by a flight of steep stairs marking the entrance of the ornate building. Yuri’s wellbeing didn’t seem as important as it had done a few minutes ago, Mt. Eyrie’s beak now kissing the golden sun perhaps signifying the mysterious bird was doing you a favour.

“Hale San”, Sensei nods before raising one thick eyebrow, “I see you have met one of the village’s ancient protectors? It is surely a sign of great admiration to see you have taken so well to our mountain settlement. Perhaps you will join me in the Zen Garden?” The elder leads the way, dwarved by several ornate pillars painted a magnificent gold. You barely notice as the avian unlatches from your scalp, hopping into the shrubbery as you start making tracks. You pass several pedestals holding ancient artefacts; pear-shaped pottery, valuable-looking scrolls, statues of legendary Pokemon, the works. Whilst awe-inspired by such rich culture, you can’t help letting some appreciation go amiss until your long-awaited reunion with Medeo. It seemed somewhat unfair he’d been given a free reign over such a quant patch of culture whilst you’d been doing chores. In tow of the old man you find the marble-strewn confides of the monastery abruptly replaced with neatly trimmed grass – the soothing sound of trickling water messaging your senses. Ahead lay a 100x100 meter patch of flat land, decorated with a small pond surrounded by odd clusters of black rocks. On the opposite side of the Zen Garden lay a box of sand which had been neatly raked – perhaps due to religious or recreational needs. A few trees coloured the warm vista too – the cherry blossoms shading a few small Pokemon. Jutted at the roots of one of the trees a stout yoga practitioner, practicing a difficult plough pose, slowely opened his eyes which had been crunched in deep meditation. The primate beams, somersaulting to his feet and leaping toward you in a warm embrace.

“I’m pleased to say your Medeo is in perfect health, thanks of course to the mystical properties of the Zen Garden – rumoured to accelerate growth and power of Pokemon and human alike Level Up for Medeo”, he smiles for a moment, before gazing shrewdly at the roof to your rear. You instinctively copy this motion, almost expecting the unpleasant glare of an ‘ancient protector’. Instead, a magnificent statue stares downward, its stone-cold gaze sending a magnificent shiver down your spine. The statue was of a muscular warrior, suspended between a pillar and the arc-shaped roof. Sleek Dragonair statues wisped around his muscular figure, their jewelled necklaces glittering in the sun’s warm bask.

“Our Sanctuary has a long and honoured history. It was founded in the year 338 AD by the great warrior Yue Fei, who carved this monastery from the mountain using only this sword, the Lotus Blade”, this statement posed more questions than it could have possibly answered, painting a mysterious guise on what seemed like a simple farming settlement bounded in ornate culture. “The Lotus Blade is no ordinary sword. In the wrong hands, it could be very dangerous” he continues, now fixated on the warriors arms which were crossed firmly against his stone chest. It appeared there was something missing from the statue – before you could ask, Sensei interrupted, now pacing into the sanctuary and unravelling one of the scrolls. He quickly reravelled it and tossed it your way, “It contains the legend of Yue Fei, should you chose to read it...”

“The protectors have recently prophesied the Lotus Blade will be stolen!” the old man echoes gravely, “Yue Fei took the weapon to his grave, its whereabouts somewhere within Mantis Cave. I can only assume that is why you wound up here Hale San, destiny has entwined our paths”. His sandled feet skittle across the marble floorboards, now standing at the sanctuary’s edge with a bird’s eye view of the village. “This journey will be nothing like herding Mareep or preparing food, there is a long road ahead Hale San. If you should so chose to end your journey, Medeo is ready to travel. Otherwise, you shall journey to Mantis Cave by Rapidash tomorrow morning, Yuri will assist you” The wise man scratches his beard and looks intently in your direction, what will you do?

“I’m pleased to say your Medeo is in perfect health, thanks of course to the mystical properties of the Zen Garden – rumoured to accelerate growth and power of Pokemon and human alike,” Master Sensei explained as he and Ben walked into the Zen Garden.

The tiny Meditite, Medeo, had been meditating in the shade of one of the many Cherry Blossom trees decorating the sanctuary’s peaceful grounds, but when it saw that its trainer had finally arrived, it nimbly sprang to its feet and trotted over, greeting the boy with a warm embrace.

Ben grinned and returned the hug. “Don’t tell me you missed me?” he teased. Medeo made a wry face, and Ben continued jokingly, “Just look at you… lounging the day away... while I was out there... slaving... under the hot hot sun…” He turned and glanced at Master Sensei before continuing, “…ahhaha..., uh, I mean, repaying these kind villagers for their generosity and hospitality, haha…” But before Ben could continue, Medeo suddenly started to shudder and pant, and Ben quickly reached for his Pokedex to check on the Meditite's status. Medeo’s body began to glow, and his arms, legs, and torso lengthened as the little Pokemon evolved into its final stage, the elegant Medicham.

Ben jumped with joy and happily congratulated his Pokemon. He immediately clutched on tight to Master Sensei’s hands, sincerely thanking the man, when all of a sudden the elder turned to gaze at the roof behind them. Ben turned to look there too, and immediately bolted in surprise to find a sculpture of an ancient warrior, arms crossed in front of his chest in an X. Two majestic Dragonair encircled the his feet.

“Our Sanctuary has a long and honoured history. It was founded in the year 338 AD by the great warrior Yue Fei, who carved this monastery from the mountain using only this sword, the Lotus Blade,” Master Sensei explained, causing Ben to gape in awe at Yue Fei's great strength. However, the elder didn’t elaborate, fixing his gaze instead on the warrior’s empty arms. “The Lotus Blade is no ordinary sword. In the wrong hands, it could be very dangerous.”

Ben opened his mouth to inquire about the sword, but Master Sensei suddenly shuffled off into the Sanctuary, causing the boy to have to hurry after him. Inside, the wizened sage picked out an old scroll and tossed it to Ben, remarking, “It contains the legend of Yue Fei, should you chose to read it...”

Ben skimmed the ancient parchment as Master Sensei continued, seriousness in his voice. “The protectors have recently prophesied the Lotus Blade will be stolen! Yue Fei took the weapon to his grave, its whereabouts somewhere within Mantis Cave. I can only assume that is why you wound up here Hale San, destiny has entwined our paths. This journey will be nothing like herding Mareep or preparing food, there is a long road ahead Hale San. If you should so chose to end your journey, Medeo is ready to travel. Otherwise, you shall journey to Mantis Cave by Rapidash tomorrow morning, Yuri will assist you.”

Master Sensei stroked his beard and stared intently at Ben, wondering what the boy would choose. Without hesitating, Ben put on a determined expression and stated that he fully intended to continue on his journey, and that he wanted his newly evolved Medicham to accompany him, believing the journey would undoubtedly provide a great opportunity for it to test out its new strength and form.

The Safari Zone: A sun blazed vista rolling over acres of the empire’s land, the Safari Zone is renowned for its stunning savannahs filled with rumbling wildlife. For a small fee, the Lyanazian tourist bureau allows travellers to explore the vast region in hopes of capturing rare and exotic Pokémon. Trainers need their wits about them, as the walkabout outlaws any unruly conduct. Enter through a state of the art Pokémon Center just a beeline from the pier and let your wild side to take charge!

Rules for entering the Safari Zone:
- The game costs a Rare Candy to play at which point you’ll be given 5 Safari Balls and a Pokénav
- You must only take one Pokémon into the park, this Pokémon will assist you in capturing wild Pokémon
- Once you use your 5 Safari Balls, your adventure ends and you are transported via your Pokénav back to The Pokémon Centre
- Should your partner Pokémon black-out, your adventure ends and you are transported via your Pokénav back to The Pokémon Centre
- Your partner Pokémon can only be used for self-defence, attacking wild Pokémon will result in you losing 2 of your Safari Balls
- Using your partner Pokémon to create traps, gather food or gather recourses will not be recognised as an offence.

"Oh, how I've missed this."

John stood still for a moment, admiring the beautiful landscape. He hadn't done any adventuring for a very long time, and he had forgotten the beauty the world had to offer. Indeed, it was a lovely paysage: fields of green and wonder as far the eye could see; he simply couldn't imagine how this could have once been a sterile landmass, as it had been told throughout time as the myth of Lyanazia's creation.

Still observing the awe-inspiring land, he was trying to choose where he would venture next - actually, where he would go for the first time in four years of absence. It was a task of the highest difficulty; as he gazed through the Lyanazia Guide & Map he had acquired, many zones drew his attention.

However, there was one who seemed more interesting than the others. One where he would freely explore the landscape, and yet had to be careful. One where he could hunt, and be hunted.

Putting the guide back in his backpack, he grabbed a peculiar spherical object that was attached to his belt. The pokeball's top half was of a green hue, five red tears painted in a semi-circle, while the bottom half was of the regular white. As he clicked the button, a flash of light materialized in front of him, a Slowbro appearing.

"Slow!" he happily said, eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight. He hadn't been used in quite some time - an insult to his former trainer, one of John's best friends, who had quit the life of pokemon adventuring in pursuit of other dreams, and preferred to give one of his closest pokemon to one of his closest friends - who ironically would also leave a few months later.

"Good to see you again, Sonso" John greeted. "We're back. Let's move - I'll explain you everything in the way".

They started walking down the road. It was settled - the Safari Zone was the place to go.

John’s Knight: A loud foghorn pierces through the exotic bird squawks as your ferry departs, the wild safari just a beeline ahead. Welcome to the Safari Zone! A Park Ranger supplies you with a Survival Pack which conveniently straps around your waist: housing Safari Balls, Full Restores, an Escape Rope and a Map of the Island. With that you pass through the wooden archway and into the safari, Sonso your seasoned Slowbro lugging eagerly in tow. Almost immediately upon breaking into the wilderness you find yourself in the thick of a rainforest. Giant trees clustered barely meters apart, soaring hundreds of feet high. A few rays of sunlight broke through the thick canopy just a tree climb above. Spurs of tropical caws and primal howls set the mood for what was bound to be a wild and adventurous scavenge. You follow the track marks of a 4x4 vehicle, not much time passing until the path splits into two. A signpost points in both directions: Watering Hole to the left and Deeper Jungles to the right...

Pikagod:Yes it does, you're supposed to use your Pokemon to help you build traps and stuff. But if a wild Pokemon attacks you or you're about to be trampled in a stampede or something, your Pokemon can help you in self defense. You could use a status dealing move to indirectly cause status to a Pokemon though (using poison powder on some berries and throwing it in front of the Pokemon or starting a bush fire with Will-O-Wisp) but that's about it ^^; Also, just for reference have to roll an RNG every time your Shadow Chingling uses an attack.

just The hunt had wheeled into motion and you’d set your eyes on a lazy sloth Pokémon who’d just woke up for a midday snack. It chomped down at another portion of leaf, still naive of your presence... Erra scrunched up her face in focus as an invisible hook latched onto the foliage in Slakoth’s clip-like claws. Chingling obediently started to reel the mammal in, who was whimpering apathetically as he slowly swung from branch to branch in your direction. He’d caught onto the bait and you were now reeling him in hook line and sinker... until! A sudden change in heart and some bad luck on your part causes Erra to mischievously drop her psychic ties to the cluster of banana leaves. The bait bounces from branch to branch before ultimately landing in the jungle undergrowth, Slakoth uninterestedly hooking his hindlegs onto a sturdy branch for a nap. You’d managed to close some distance but probably not enough for a clear shot, what will you do?

Xiaolin Temple

Hayward: “An honourable decision, our village is at your debt”, the wise master bobs his head surely, “you have earned the respect and support of our community through your labours, now please rest. I’m sure Yuri will be eager to hear from you. We shall meet again when the Blaziken crows at the break of dawn” With that you say a brief farewell, rushing down the drawn out flight of stairs with a spring in your step. You beeline through the settlements main strip, mulling over the market stalls which were few and far between. Hwan, the man you’d met earlier, sends you a wave from his stall, but you didn’t have time to stop and chat. You where headed to the swing set just a bit off the edge of the settlement for a much pre-empt apology. However upon breaking through the cluster of pink-topped trees you find the swing seat barely wavering. You were alone. Upon closer inspection, there appeared to be a greenish envelope sat neatly on the adjacent swing seat.

A few hours later and the shifting onomatopoeia of the tap dancing Kriketot was enough to get your mind of Yuri’s letter. You’d sat in a secluded booth at the ornate restaurant, the greenish envelope now wedged between the mahogany table and the few reddish candles flickering warmly. Your dinner was on the house, it was the least the head chef could do having conquered his lack of confidence by your hands. It was quite lonely without her, whilst you’d managed to impress the villagers she was the only one you could consider a friend. Whenever your attention wasn’t on the note it was on the scroll nestled firmly in your messenger bag. This didn’t seem like the place to open it, but its mere presence was enough to reinforce the cloud of anxiety regarding your quest. What if Yuri was upset? What if she refused to see you? Time was rolling on and the bistro was steadily starting to litter with robed villagers.

“Ha! Hale San!” A jolly voice yells, inviting himself to your booth with a large bottle of wine, “I am-a still picking my teeth from that delicious meal you helped prepare! Where are you staying tonight? Great! You’ll stay at my place! It’s the least I could do for a fellow traveller!” Hwan shook your hand vigorously, barely allowing you a word in edgeways. Minutes flew by in what felt like hours, the man had told you everything about his life as a trader whilst occasionally topping up his cup. He was also quick to apologise about Kaito’s ongoing hostility, “The boy is an orphan just like his twin sister, his life wasn’t easy...”

“Just look at the time!” Hwan blurted, downing a cup of the dark liquid, “Let’s go, you do not want to be in this place when it gets dark!” the man snorts, shuffling out of the booth and tipsily ushering to his feet. Tagging along you subconsciously find yourself a safe distance away from him on the off chance he knocked something over. A refreshing breeze of air beat against the bistro doors, the moon leisurely faring up a sea of stars. Less tame Krikitune could be heard rubbing their legs together, and a swarm of Volbeat could be seen on the hilltops outskirts in full luminescence. The few Natu and Xatu had formed a totem pole atop one of the dojos, one keeping watch whilst they others slept. Paper lanterns were tied few and far between against the small clusters of whitewash houses, shedding some much needed light against the gravelled path that Mr. Hwan was so tipsily navigating. Just a few hiccups later you’d arrived at the trader’s front room, still bound in paper walls but this time nestled in piles of souvenirs and trinkets from around the world. You recognised a pass to the SS. Aqua and an open box of Lava Cookies with nothing but the crumbs left. A small Munchlax was coiled in a fatal position above a pile of maps, Hwan smiling warmly as he threw a blanket over the chubby bear. He was kind enough to offer you his room whilst he slept in a hammock out back. Hustled into your sleeping quarters you finally had a room to yourself, although the mat you had to sleep on looked less than comfortable. The ancient scroll was still jutted out of your backpack; you’d be up at the break of dawn and now seemed like the best time to brush up on your history skills...

...With their land on the brink of invasion, Yue Fei learnt that becoming a great leader meant sacrificing his own spiritual needs for the needs of his people. However through breaking his vow of peace the great Yue Fei was more lost than ever. Several years later he led a legion of followers to a far off land which would protect itself. The terrain was feral and far too mountainous to inhabit, so he sculpted the mountain with the very same blade he took the battle, the legendary Lo_us_ blade...

“We’re under attack!” a civilian howls, the now rapturous sirens of a war horn enough to shake you into your senses. You must’ve dozed off! You barely have a chance to shuffle your gear together as you rush down stairs to see what all the fuss was about. The front room had been raided, the paper walls had been tore apart and every last box full of souvenirs had had its contents tipped across the already unorganised floorboards. The Munchlax you had seen earlier was nowhere to be found, and your heart skipped a beat a knock thudded twice against the door. You had to answer it, even if it wasn’t your house... With one hand reaching for the knob another was fingering for a Pokeball lest you be caught unarmed.

“You did this! No one knew of our existence before today and now we have been raided!” Kaito grabbed you by the neck before you could even figure out what he was talking about, “What have you done to Hwan! What have you done to my sister!” He released his grip, throwing you against a pile of cardboard boxes inside the trader’s residence. In his defence the evidence against you was astonishing, Hwan’s home had been destroyed and you’d been caught in the thick of the crime scene. There were a few villagers gathering outside now, their trust in you had been shattered and you could only guess what feeling of revenge they where harbouring. But that thought could barely cross your mind as the monk coiled his fists. The trader’s garden was a few paces your rear, but outrunning Kaito seemed like a hedgy bet. Then again, what choice did you have?

Pikagod: just The hunt had wheeled into motion and you’d set your eyes on a lazy sloth Pokémon who’d just woke up for a midday snack. It chomped down at another portion of leaf, still naive of your presence... Erra scrunched up her face in focus as an invisible hook latched onto the foliage in Slakoth’s clip-like claws. Chingling obediently started to reel the mammal in, who was whimpering apathetically as he slowly swung from branch to branch in your direction. He’d caught onto the bait and you were now reeling him in hook line and sinker... until! A sudden change in heart and some bad luck on your part causes Erra to mischievously drop her psychic ties to the cluster of banana leaves. The bait bounces from branch to branch before ultimately landing in the jungle undergrowth, Slakoth uninterestedly hooking his hindlegs onto a sturdy branch for a nap. You’d managed to close some distance but probably not enough for a clear shot, what will you do?

Yeah, just a quick little heads up, Erra is male, not female.

Karmas watched with excitement as the Slakoth's leaves slowly made their way towards him and Erra, bringing the pokemon along with them. However, it was then that Erra's wild mood swings kicked in, and he dropped his psychic link on the leaves, letting them fall into the undergrowth. Karmas had known the risks involved with using a Shadow Pokemon, but still had decided to bring Erra along with him, and now he may have started to regret it. But he sucked it up, and just decided that he needed to just think of a better plan.

"Okay Erra," said Karmas, getting the little purple pokemon's attention, "I need you to use Confusion to make a box out of leaves and twigs underneath Slakoth, then I want you to use Shadow Hold to bind the box together, and then finish off by using Gravity to get Slakoth off the tree."

As he relayed the orders, Karmas still gripped the Safari Ball tightly, hoping that this would give him the chance to catch the pokemon.

John’s Knight: A loud foghorn pierces through the exotic bird squawks as your ferry departs, the wild safari just a beeline ahead. Welcome to the Safari Zone! A Park Ranger supplies you with a Survival Pack which conveniently straps around your waist: housing Safari Balls, Full Restores, an Escape Rope and a Map of the Island. With that you pass through the wooden archway and into the safari, Sonso your seasoned Slowbro lugging eagerly in tow. Almost immediately upon breaking into the wilderness you find yourself in the thick of a rainforest. Giant trees clustered barely meters apart, soaring hundreds of feet high. A few rays of sunlight broke through the thick canopy just a tree climb above. Spurs of tropical caws and primal howls set the mood for what was bound to be a wild and adventurous scavenge. You follow the track marks of a 4x4 vehicle, not much time passing until the path splits into two. A signpost points in both directions: Watering Hole to the left and Deeper Jungles to the right...

As he heard the Safari Park Ranger's information and strapped the Survival Pack around his waist, he couldn't help but wonder what would happen to him. Being gone for so long, even his imagination had become numb; little by little, he was remembering all he had gone through in this wonderful fizzy land, and gazed upon his imagination's horizon, hoping to recover all the lost time.

As he set foot back in the real world, he realized he was now alone - with his Slowbro, of course. Both started walking into the wilderness, their senses concentrated on any signal they could hear, see, or smell. The rainforest was certainly home to many pokemon species, and they were bound to come across one at some point.

As they continue their move, they reach a small sign-post, the road splitting in two. Reading the sign, they realized there was a Watering Hole to the left, and a deeper part of the jungles to the right. They had to choose one.

"What do you think, Sonso?" the trainer asked his partner, who answered with a lazy Slow?. "Not much of a help there, but thanks anyway." As if he had tossed a coin in his mind, John moved right, the Slowbro following suit. "Deeper Jungles it is!"

Hayward: “An honourable decision, our village is at your debt”, the wise master bobs his head surely, “you have earned the respect and support of our community through your labours, now please rest. I’m sure Yuri will be eager to hear from you. We shall meet again when the Blaziken crows at the break of dawn” With that you say a brief farewell, rushing down the drawn out flight of stairs with a spring in your step. You beeline through the settlements main strip, mulling over the market stalls which were few and far between. Hwan, the man you’d met earlier, sends you a wave from his stall, but you didn’t have time to stop and chat. You where headed to the swing set just a bit off the edge of the settlement for a much pre-empt apology. However upon breaking through the cluster of pink-topped trees you find the swing seat barely wavering. You were alone. Upon closer inspection, there appeared to be a greenish envelope sat neatly on the adjacent swing seat.

A few hours later and the shifting onomatopoeia of the tap dancing Kriketot was enough to get your mind of Yuri’s letter. You’d sat in a secluded booth at the ornate restaurant, the greenish envelope now wedged between the mahogany table and the few reddish candles flickering warmly. Your dinner was on the house, it was the least the head chef could do having conquered his lack of confidence by your hands. It was quite lonely without her, whilst you’d managed to impress the villagers she was the only one you could consider a friend. Whenever your attention wasn’t on the note it was on the scroll nestled firmly in your messenger bag. This didn’t seem like the place to open it, but its mere presence was enough to reinforce the cloud of anxiety regarding your quest. What if Yuri was upset? What if she refused to see you? Time was rolling on and the bistro was steadily starting to litter with robed villagers.

“Ha! Hale San!” A jolly voice yells, inviting himself to your booth with a large bottle of wine, “I am-a still picking my teeth from that delicious meal you helped prepare! Where are you staying tonight? Great! You’ll stay at my place! It’s the least I could do for a fellow traveller!” Hwan shook your hand vigorously, barely allowing you a word in edgeways. Minutes flew by in what felt like hours, the man had told you everything about his life as a trader whilst occasionally topping up his cup. He was also quick to apologise about Kaito’s ongoing hostility, “The boy is an orphan just like his twin sister, his life wasn’t easy...”

“Just look at the time!” Hwan blurted, downing a cup of the dark liquid, “Let’s go, you do not want to be in this place when it gets dark!” the man snorts, shuffling out of the booth and tipsily ushering to his feet. Tagging along you subconsciously find yourself a safe distance away from him on the off chance he knocked something over. A refreshing breeze of air beat against the bistro doors, the moon leisurely faring up a sea of stars. Less tame Krikitune could be heard rubbing their legs together, and a swarm of Volbeat could be seen on the hilltops outskirts in full luminescence. The few Natu and Xatu had formed a totem pole atop one of the dojos, one keeping watch whilst they others slept. Paper lanterns were tied few and far between against the small clusters of whitewash houses, shedding some much needed light against the gravelled path that Mr. Hwan was so tipsily navigating. Just a few hiccups later you’d arrived at the trader’s front room, still bound in paper walls but this time nestled in piles of souvenirs and trinkets from around the world. You recognised a pass to the SS. Aqua and an open box of Lava Cookies with nothing but the crumbs left. A small Munchlax was coiled in a fatal position above a pile of maps, Hwan smiling warmly as he threw a blanket over the chubby bear. He was kind enough to offer you his room whilst he slept in a hammock out back. Hustled into your sleeping quarters you finally had a room to yourself, although the mat you had to sleep on looked less than comfortable. The ancient scroll was still jutted out of your backpack; you’d be up at the break of dawn and now seemed like the best time to brush up on your history skills...

...With their land on the brink of invasion, Yue Fei learnt that becoming a great leader meant sacrificing his own spiritual needs for the needs of his people. However through breaking his vow of peace the great Yue Fei was more lost than ever. Several years later he led a legion of followers to a far off land which would protect itself. The terrain was feral and far too mountainous to inhabit, so he sculpted the mountain with the very same blade he took the battle, the legendary Lo_us_ blade...

“We’re under attack!” a civilian howls, the now rapturous sirens of a war horn enough to shake you into your senses. You must’ve dozed off! You barely have a chance to shuffle your gear together as you rush down stairs to see what all the fuss was about. The front room had been raided, the paper walls had been tore apart and every last box full of souvenirs had had its contents tipped across the already unorganised floorboards. The Munchlax you had seen earlier was nowhere to be found, and your heart skipped a beat a knock thudded twice against the door. You had to answer it, even if it wasn’t your house... With one hand reaching for the knob another was fingering for a Pokeball lest you be caught unarmed.

“You did this! No one knew of our existence before today and now we have been raided!” Kaito grabbed you by the neck before you could even figure out what he was talking about, “What have you done to Hwan! What have you done to my sister!” He released his grip, throwing you against a pile of cardboard boxes inside the trader’s residence. In his defence the evidence against you was astonishing, Hwan’s home had been destroyed and you’d been caught in the thick of the crime scene. There were a few villagers gathering outside now, their trust in you had been shattered and you could only guess what feeling of revenge they where harbouring. But that thought could barely cross your mind as the monk coiled his fists. The trader’s garden was a few paces your rear, but outrunning Kaito seemed like a hedgy bet. Then again, what choice did you have?

“We’re under attack!”

The panicked cry of a villager suddenly woke Ben from his slumber. He jumped out of bed, pulled on his jacket and, grabbing his bag off the floor, quickly made his way downstairs. Seeing the ransacked main room, the boy bolted in alarm and wondered what could have happened. Before he had the chance to figure it out however, he suddenly heard a knock at the door. One hand hovering over a Pokeball, he went to open it.

“You did this! No one knew of our existence before today and now we have been raided!” Kaito yelled in accusation as he entered the house. The villager grabbed Ben by the neck, and his fingers quickly tightened around Ben’s throat. Ben coughed and spluttered for air as Kaito continued. “What have you done to Hwan! What have you done to my sister!”

Releasing his grip, Kaito roughly flung Ben against a pile of cardboard boxes inside Mr. Hwan’s living room. Ben landed in the middle of them with a mighty THUD! Through the holes in the wall, Ben could see a crowd of villagers assembling outside, a mixture of anxious and angry looks beginning to appear on their faces as they began to suspect what might have happened. Kaito advanced upon the fallen Ben, his hand forming into a solid fist as he approached. There’s a time for fighting, Ben told himself, and also a time for fleeing. Extricating himself from the cardboard debris as speedily as possible, Ben scrambled to his feet. A quick glance inside his messenger bag confirmed that all his gear was present and accounted for. And with that knowledge, Ben did the only thing he could think of. He made a quick getaway in the direction of Mr. Hwan’s garden, not even looking back to see if Kaito was following him.

With Slakoth lulled into slumber it was an easy target, parrying orders onto your deviant partner the safari presses on. Erra’s beady eyes flicker blue with Confusion as they had minutes ago, telekinetically plucking leaves from the thick of trees and scooping them into a cushion a fine drop below the lazy mammalian. He follows this up with a timely Shadow Hold, black tongues binding around the nest like a parcel to keep it in place. The bell shaped Pokemon grins as he completes the combination, sweating out a great deal of psychic energy by increasing the gravity around the napping Slakoth. The weakly fortified branch dips downward, the pulling forces below unlatching the oblivious prey who falls snugly into the bed of leaves. The Slakoth stretches and starts to suck its thumb. It was an easy shot now, and yours for the taking with a bit of luck. What will you do?

John's Knight: Met with a fork in the road you decide to leave fate in the hands of a coin flip, clever! Whilst there were bound to be Pokémon at the Watering Hole, you take your trek into the deeper reaches of Jungle which were bound to house more predatory creatures. Not long passes before the dirt path breaks away, the terrain too uneven for any land vehicle with several dips and spikes in the ahead. You press onward, ankle deep in rough thickets whilst minding the occasional vine snaking across the shrubbery. A few Carterpie scuttle along the undergrowth as the bird types caw overhead. You look above instinctively, barely missing the flock of Spearow which where now concealed by the canopy of leaves. Reaching a drop in terrain you decide to see what lay in store below. From what you could see a couple of Nincada were burrowing into the mucky undergrowth which was likely to be swarming with other bugs. Just ahead a Shroomish was feasting on a pile of dead leaves, and a stretch further on a baby Teddiursa and Spinda were playing inside a hollowed out tree trunk. Moreover you could hear squawks just a tree climb above. The hunt was finally set into motion, what will you do?

Xiaolin Temple

Hayward: Driven by fear you find yourself scuffling for the nearest escape route. If it’d been a wild Tauros charging at you, some agile martial arts courtesy of Medeo would’ve been your best bet. Even Sumeo could have absorbed a mighty tackle like a stack of punching bags before hurling the bull out of the window by its horns. But no, this was between you and another trainer. And he didn’t seem interested in blowing off steam the old fashion way. The whole turn of events reeked of de ja vu – you’d never earned Kaito’s trust and it looked as though this scrap was unavoidable. Not if you could help it. As though through impulse, you lift you’re shaking body up from the pile of crumpled boxes, breaking contact with the fighter and heading straight to the backdoor. You waywardly skittle forward faster than your legs can carry you, however this is no match for Kaito who pounces forward like a tiger. Barely inches from the door you feel an arm wrestle around your neck! He locks his hand against your collar, turning you around through sheer force leaving you face to face. You froze in place, helpless as he shoves you out of the house with his left arm and lunges forward with his right... SMACK! You tumble over at the rear terrace; your fall once again broken by some conveniently planted rose bushes. Hot blood was pouring from your throbbing nose down to your chin. At the heat of things you felt like fighting back, but what would that prove? You where clearly outmatched and such a feat would only fuel the sneaking suspicions of treachery. Drawing further parallels to the day prior a sage elder breaks through the now gathering mob of villagers.

“Kaito!” Sensei howled, “Your lack of restraint under such harsh circumstances brings me great shame. I have indeed failed you!”

“But master! Yuri-“

“Silence! You must return to the dojo immediately, you have no control over your emotions. Everyone else, return to your homes, I assure you this matter is under control” Kaito’s face turned pale. His eyes welled in frustration - you could see his lip trembling as though he was bursting to vouch for forgiveness. His fists uncoiled however, his head hung low as he sauntered out of eye-line. The villagers disbanded in tow, if it weren’t for their unwavering devotion to the grand master things surely would’ve been different. Sensei helps you to your feet.

“Hale, I’m afraid both Yuri and Hwan san have indeed been captured. His footprints: The ground here tells the story... a great struggle, many warriors”, The old man mulls over the hammock which was barely strung to one tree. The other half was threadbare, the thickets below scuffed and tattered. “Kaito is right in that this is no coincidence. It appears we are not the only ones after the Lotus Blade, our mysterious enemy is at a great advantage...”

“You shall travel to the Mantis Cave as planned. I have full confidence that is where they are headed” Sensei nods, signaling you in tow. Somewhat relieved to keep clear distance from the trader’s house which where no so associated with guilt you bypass the now empty boulevards of the rural settlement, headed to the agricultural acres of land you’d shepherded. Sensei stops at a great wooden corral at least twice the size of a standard battle arena. The surrounding grass worn and scarred, you could only assume many tame Rapidash had been given free reign over these pastures. Directly adjacent to the corral was an oblong stable easily matching its length. By first impression it looked as though it’d hold a couple dozen stallions at least. Sensei pauses at the stable’s entrance, its interior too dark to make out at dawn.

“Our mysterious enemy knew we planned to travel by Rapidash. It appears they used flares to scare away the horses”, Sensei remarks, handling a burnt-out flare with much sympathy, “However one Rapidash resisted escape under the enemy’s raid. His name is Go, his masters death caused him to lose trust in others. The stallion masks its fear with aggression. He will need breaking if you are to reach Mantis Cave in time”

“Have you broke a horse before, Hale San?” Sensei hands you a rope to lasso the unruly horse, assuming you’d be capable without assistance. His trust reinforced your conflicted spirit as you pressed on, entering the dimly lit stable which was in tatters. The narrow dirt path was strewn with bales of hay and wooden crates, implying further struggle. You check past each pen in the stable: empty, empty, empty. Beside the occasional horse shoe the area appeared vacant. You could only assume Go had gone walkies himself until a gruff neigh proves otherwise. At the far end of the tattered stable, a muscled white steed attempted to go unnoticed. Flames stemmed from various spots on its body, giving of an unusual ashen hue as opposed to its usual ginger. In light of your advances Go rasped a second hee-haw, his body language more hostile. He was warning you to keep distance. Now nearing feet from the Rapidash’s pen he kicks his forelegs aggressively. The Rapidash could smell your determination, matching it as he hurdled over his steeple causing an instinct within you to back off into the corner barely inches from the rowdy horse. He was headed straight out now and you’d need to stop him!

Go Hayward Go! Here’s the Stable which has become a makeshift obstacle course. You’ll need to pick a Pokémon who can reach the exit before Go can and draw out the quickest route via MS Paint. Upon beating Go to the finish, your Pokemon will be able to lasso the Rapidash into the corral. From there you’ll have to battle it using a Pokemon of your choice to prove yourself a worthy trainer. You have to navigate around obstacles. Your Pokemon can only go forwards, left and right – it cannot go from one tile to the diagonal tile.

Pokémon with Speed get a head start of 7 tiles.
Pokémon with Jump can effortlessly hurdle over bales of hay. This means tiles with bales of hay are treated as though they are a normal tile.
Pokémon with Power can punch their way through boxes. This means tiles with boxes are treated as though they are a normal tile.

Note: These advantages do not stack. So if you used a Sunkern for example, you’d have to choose which stat to use. PM me if you're having any trouble. Best of luck!

With Slakoth lulled into slumber it was an easy target, parrying orders onto your deviant partner the safari presses on. Erra’s beady eyes flicker blue with Confusion as they had minutes ago, telekinetically plucking leaves from the thick of trees and scooping them into a cushion a fine drop below the lazy mammalian. He follows this up with a timely Shadow Hold, black tongues binding around the nest like a parcel to keep it in place. The bell shaped Pokemon grins as he completes the combination, sweating out a great deal of psychic energy by increasing the gravity around the napping Slakoth. The weakly fortified branch dips downward, the pulling forces below unlatching the oblivious prey who falls snugly into the bed of leaves. The Slakoth stretches and starts to suck its thumb. It was an easy shot now, and yours for the taking with a bit of luck. What will you do?

Karmas watched as Erra got to work, making a little nest below the Slakoth. To his delight the Shadow pokemon listened to him, and didn't disobey once bit. Watching the Slakoth fall into the box, Karmas rubbed Erra on his little bell head, and walked over to the nest. He gripped one of the Safari Balls and looked down, seeing the little sloth pokemon suck its thumb. The cuteness level of the thing was nearly overwhelming.

"Well then little fella, get ready to be captured," said Karmas enlarging the Safari Ball.

Hayward: Driven by fear you find yourself scuffling for the nearest escape route. If it’d been a wild Tauros charging at you, some agile martial arts courtesy of Medeo would’ve been your best bet. Even Sumeo could have absorbed a mighty tackle like a stack of punching bags before hurling the bull out of the window by its horns. But no, this was between you and another trainer. And he didn’t seem interested in blowing off steam the old fashion way. The whole turn of events reeked of de ja vu – you’d never earned Kaito’s trust and it looked as though this scrap was unavoidable. Not if you could help it. As though through impulse, you lift you’re shaking body up from the pile of crumpled boxes, breaking contact with the fighter and heading straight to the backdoor. You waywardly skittle forward faster than your legs can carry you, however this is no match for Kaito who pounces forward like a tiger. Barely inches from the door you feel an arm wrestle around your neck! He locks his hand against your collar, turning you around through sheer force leaving you face to face. You froze in place, helpless as he shoves you out of the house with his left arm and lunges forward with his right... SMACK! You tumble over at the rear terrace; your fall once again broken by some conveniently planted rose bushes. Hot blood was pouring from your throbbing nose down to your chin. At the heat of things you felt like fighting back, but what would that prove? You where clearly outmatched and such a feat would only fuel the sneaking suspicions of treachery. Drawing further parallels to the day prior a sage elder breaks through the now gathering mob of villagers.

“Kaito!” Sensei howled, “Your lack of restraint under such harsh circumstances brings me great shame. I have indeed failed you!”

“But master! Yuri-“

“Silence! You must return to the dojo immediately, you have no control over your emotions. Everyone else, return to your homes, I assure you this matter is under control” Kaito’s face turned pale. His eyes welled in frustration - you could see his lip trembling as though he was bursting to vouch for forgiveness. His fists uncoiled however, his head hung low as he sauntered out of eye-line. The villagers disbanded in tow, if it weren’t for their unwavering devotion to the grand master things surely would’ve been different. Sensei helps you to your feet.

“Hale, I’m afraid both Yuri and Hwan san have indeed been captured. His footprints: The ground here tells the story... a great struggle, many warriors”, The old man mulls over the hammock which was barely strung to one tree. The other half was threadbare, the thickets below scuffed and tattered. “Kaito is right in that this is no coincidence. It appears we are not the only ones after the Lotus Blade, our mysterious enemy is at a great advantage...”

“You shall travel to the Mantis Cave as planned. I have full confidence that is where they are headed” Sensei nods, signaling you in tow. Somewhat relieved to keep clear distance from the trader’s house which where no so associated with guilt you bypass the now empty boulevards of the rural settlement, headed to the agricultural acres of land you’d shepherded. Sensei stops at a great wooden corral at least twice the size of a standard battle arena. The surrounding grass worn and scarred, you could only assume many tame Rapidash had been given free reign over these pastures. Directly adjacent to the corral was an oblong stable easily matching its length. By first impression it looked as though it’d hold a couple dozen stallions at least. Sensei pauses at the stable’s entrance, its interior too dark to make out at dawn.

“Our mysterious enemy knew we planned to travel by Rapidash. It appears they used flares to scare away the horses”, Sensei remarks, handling a burnt-out flare with much sympathy, “However one Rapidash resisted escape under the enemy’s raid. His name is Go, his masters death caused him to lose trust in others. The stallion masks its fear with aggression. He will need breaking if you are to reach Mantis Cave in time”

“Have you broke a horse before, Hale San?” Sensei hands you a rope to lasso the unruly horse, assuming you’d be capable without assistance. His trust reinforced your conflicted spirit as you pressed on, entering the dimly lit stable which was in tatters. The narrow dirt path was strewn with bales of hay and wooden crates, implying further struggle. You check past each pen in the stable: empty, empty, empty. Beside the occasional horse shoe the area appeared vacant. You could only assume Go had gone walkies himself until a gruff neigh proves otherwise. At the far end of the tattered stable, a muscled white steed attempted to go unnoticed. Flames stemmed from various spots on its body, giving of an unusual ashen hue as opposed to its usual ginger. In light of your advances Go rasped a second hee-haw, his body language more hostile. He was warning you to keep distance. Now nearing feet from the Rapidash’s pen he kicks his forelegs aggressively. The Rapidash could smell your determination, matching it as he hurdled over his steeple causing an instinct within you to back off into the corner barely inches from the rowdy horse. He was headed straight out now and you’d need to stop him!

Go Hayward Go! Here’s the Stable which has become a makeshift obstacle course. You’ll need to pick a Pokémon who can reach the exit before Go can and draw out the quickest route via MS Paint. Upon beating Go to the finish, your Pokemon will be able to lasso the Rapidash into the corral. From there you’ll have to battle it using a Pokemon of your choice to prove yourself a worthy trainer. You have to navigate around obstacles. Your Pokemon can only go forwards, left and right – it cannot go from one tile to the diagonal tile.

Pokémon with Speed get a head start of 7 tiles.
Pokémon with Jump can effortlessly hurdle over bales of hay. This means tiles with bales of hay are treated as though they are a normal tile.
Pokémon with Power can punch their way through boxes. This means tiles with boxes are treated as though they are a normal tile.

Note: These advantages do not stack. So if you used a Sunkern for example, you’d have to choose which stat to use. PM me if you're having any trouble. Best of luck!

Apologies in advance. I have a pretty old computer and no access to MS Paint. I tried to describe the path I wanted to follow though in my reply. Hopefully it's not too confusing.

In one of the Xiaolin Monastery's stables, Ben surveys the obstacle course laid out before him and tries to decide on a suitable Pokemon to tackle the challenging track. Hay bales and boxes are randomly intersperced throughout the long rectangular field, adding to the difficulty of navigating through it, and as the boy examines the course, he reasons the quickest way to get to the finish would be to take the straightest line possible and to avoid the various obstructions. To do that, he reasons that a Pokemon with a good leaping ability would be an excellent choice as it could avoid the hay bales altogether by simply hurdling over them, and quickly consults his Pokedex. As Ben studies up on his current team's athletic stats, a look of utter disbelief slowly creeps across his face, and he suddenly bolts in astonishment to discover that he happens to a possesses a Pokemon species who happens to be a Five Star Jumper, the category's highest rating.

Reaching into his messenger bag, Ben quickly withdraws a metallic silver Pokeball, and turns it over in his hand, thinking over its occupant, the pudgy pugilist, Sumeo. Ben scratches his head in curiosity and wonders in amazement how it can be possible that the seemingly unathletic Makuhita is so proficient at jumping. Unable to puzzle it out, Ben shakes his head and shrugs, his mind made up to at least give Sumeo a fair shot. Pressing the center button, the containment orb triples in size and Ben throws it out onto the field remarking to Master Sensei that he had settled on a Pokemon. The shiny steel sphere cracks along its midline and a fountain of brilliant white light instantly explodes from within before transforming itself into the form of a chubby, yellow-gold sumo wrestler. The Guts Pokemon mumbles out his name between bites of Leftover apple, and Ben explains the village elder's assignment. Sumeo nods that he understands and he quickly tucks his Leftover apple core into one of his boxing gloves, signaling his readiness for the task at hand.

Ben grins broadly in his excitement at the upcoming race and outlines the path he wants Makuhita to follow. "Alright Sumeo, get to the far left edge of the course and go straight ahead until you come to a box. Once you get there, turn right and go to the middle of the course. Make two quick lefts to get around the box, then get back to the far left edge of the course and go straight ahead until you get to the finish line. When you get to one of the hay bales, show us what you can do!"

Arc Angel: The shy breeze blows bits of pinkish cherry blossoms off the gorgeous sycamores, the signs of spring twisting up the whitewash ramparts of the beautiful tower and rippling on top of each teacup. Several others would find their senses intoxicated by the heavenly vista, but your heart couldn’t have sunk much deeper. The unnatural splits across chest lure a sickly sensation, complemented by a cold numbness that ebbs to the tips of your fingers. You where now sat drinking tea for a much needed change of pace, with a powerful lady you’d barely had a chance to speak to. She gently stirs a dollop of honey into the tea, all ears and hoping to shed light on the mysterious events despite your busy schedule. So many questions were left unanswered, and if you missed a chance now they’d continue to eat away at you. With fine opportunity presenting itself, a flood of questions involuntarily spew from your mouth leaving you little time to catch breath. Iris smiles weakly, placing her tea cup on a saucer.

“I’m sorry, it seems my attempt at calming your unsettled soul has only aggravated it...” she pauses apologetically, “Your loss of appetite was to be expected, and I’m sure you’ll soon find death brings out the worst in people; detached from the natural beauty of the world, surrounded by a mess of bleakness and grief. And I’m afraid to add this could be it, there’s not much I can do for you now Stacey. Cheating death is a very dark practice, there are consequences too...” she sighs softly, breaking contact with you rather awkwardly as she’d quite bluntly given you the answers you didn’t want to hear. Of course you already knew the answer to this question before you asked it, moving onto a more relevant issue. How did she know who you were? How did the demon so fluently hiss your occasional alias as though you’d once met?

“Well... there’s no easy way to answer those questions”, she says, stirring her cup now for no other reason than a casual distraction, “I’ve had my powers for as long as I can remember, I was born long before time itself along with the other immortals. The ancient civilisations cultivated around these jungles worshipped me as a goddess”, she continues, blushing modestly, “I share a symbiotic relationship with nature. One cannot live without the other, and even now as my beautiful jungle has been plagued I feel weaker and weaker. I’m becoming mortal now Stacey, and I won’t me much use in combat for much longer”

“Syrian – the cloaked demon - is not an immortal, although he is thousands of years old” she answers, only managing to fabricate a further string of questions “I should explain, when humans first started colonising on this Island, I felt urged to endow them with bountiful harvests - I fell in love with them. My naivety only led to their downfall. They advanced rapidly, their unstable empire splitting into factions and waging war. Every tree they set ablaze felt like a pin prick... For the first time I felt angry, heartbroken, and through my experimental urges the mighty empire fell with no exertion. Whilst most of the civilians were wise enough to retreat, a few retaliated... I killed anyone in my way, it fills me with regret”.

“However, one of the civilians, a young child, survived. Filled with so much hate and fuelled with revenge he delved into the darkest types of magic. His immortality comes from a deal he made with a dark Shadow Court as he was growing too old to fulfil his retribution; they will keep him young with sacrifices of other peoples' youth. Syrian has been very hard to keep track of over the years, always travelling as his plan slowly came into fruition. Every century or so, he would settle in a region, starting a family whilst surreptitiously recruiting lost souls for his evil cult. History would continue to repeat itself; time and time again would he sacrifice both his family and followers through his ties with the Shadow Court. Through these unnatural dealings he has become less and less human”, a chill runs down your spine as visions of the demon like creature scar your already rattled mind, “However a human sacrifice will no longer suffice, the time has come for him to execute his boiling revenge”. She pauses, taking a sip of her tea to sooth the corporeal goosebumps dimpling down her nimble arms.

“As for Giratina”, she continues, “The gatekeeper has an uncanny attraction to death and destruction. His appearance has been seen as a bad omen for thousands of years, but that’s not necessarily true. I got a ‘sense’ that Giratina was trying to help us earlier, but I can’t keep myself from wondering if Syrian planned on this all along. The ghost has some unnatural abilities; I can only assume Giratina will play a pivotal role in Syrian’s plot. Perhaps the two have crossed paths before”, she dazes up at the sky, the sun quickly climbing to its zenith.

“It’s reaching midday, I know you need to know more but we need to go...” the woman’s face pales with anxiety, her arms trembling as she tries to hast to a standing. Before she can steady the ornate teacup on its accompanying saucer a trembling sensation climbs to the tips of her fingers. The cup slips through her nimble fingers much to your concern, rolling off of the fancy table and smashing into pieces against the marble-strewn balcony. It was just a cup, but you couldn’t help wondering if Iris was becoming all too frail to be of assistance. She blushes as though embarrassed, however this emotion quickly subsides as she rises to her feet with a slight waltz of dizziness. She regains a certain sense of poise as she storms back into the guest room, although her slight lapse in strength is enough to shake your confidence in the mission ahead. Following, a gentle breeze of warm air hugging the balcony and gently wafting the double doors shut. The windowed doors painted a reflection of the bustling horizon behind, although a distinct absence of your own weak smile was enough to reiterate your recent demise.

A few staircases and locked doors later, you find yourself in tow of the deepest dungeons of the grand palace, the rough cobbled floors and prison-like vents a stark contrast to the fairytale above. You could tell by the look of unease painted all over your hostess’s face she wouldn’t dare enter this part of the castle on a normal day. Minutes fly by as the narrow corridors become ever more moss-strewn, the soily ceiling barely sustained by the cobble debris – weakly illuminated by neon-hued fungi. Iris slowed down, it was a dead end! Iris didn’t say a word, outstretching one arm and stroking the foliage which, on touch, appeared to spew into her fingertips. You could only assume it was some sort of makeshift combination lock as she remained unusually silent. The walls looked bare and medieval-like. Just a few paces ahead were the blind alley had been substituted with a fortified door. Iris swung it open, the mystique far too much for you to pass up on.

“Welcome to the Sanctuary”, the deity drolls, “Whilst your Pokémon are unharmed, in your deathly state your ties with them have been severed. Quite ironic indeed, considering you’re a ghost type specialist”. She didn’t bother to laugh at her own joke, pacing around the circular room which was parallel to the two tombs you’d visited – only it had a scale model of the jungle continent in its centre, like what you’d find in a war room. “I can’t... remember... the last time I set foot in this place, Stacey. I haven’t needed to”. She busily scatters through countless documents and books which appeared to have fallen off a bookshelf long-ago. She mulls over these trinkets and picks up a dull oil-lamp. You could only assume she was casting it aside in search of something more ‘special’, until she places it on the centre of the model. It was black rimmed and covered in dust – an old oil lamp. She smiles coyly as low and behold the trinket began rattling wildly as though pulsing with immense power. Suddenly, a small orb of emerald the size of your hand flickers out of its tip and begins bobbing in your direction! Its glow was mesmerizing and hypnotising. It flutters beside you, giving you a good glimpse of its features: a swollen head the shape of an onion freckled with two baby-blue eyes with black rims, all topped off with a pair of antennae. The fairy-like Pokemon giggles into its hand, bobbing back to the room’s centre.

“Spirit”, Iris pleas, “We need your assistance in summoning a warrior, my friend Stacy has been separated from her Pokémon”. The fairy nods intently, facing you as though she could see straight into your soul. Her emerald glow grows, burning so intensely you feel your pale corpse throb wildly. She spins across the room, leaving green dust in her wake which showers downward. The translucent greenish sand comes together before your eyes, molding itself into three animated, jelly-like silhouettes. The fairy's luminance softens as she hovers a few feet above the dim oil lamp.

“I can find one of your friends if you like!”, the sprite squeaks, the silhouetted illustrations becoming more defined and discernible, “How about a Pokemon from your past, huh?” suddenly the leftmost illustration, your since evolved Nincada, scuttles toward you warmly, its quirky mannerisms paralleling the time you’d first laid eyes on each over. “Yeah she’s still not that tough, but could come in handy!” The Celebi agrees with herself, the illustration puffing into inexistence.

“Or a Pokemon from just now, the present! Gee, I like presents!” The spirit spins on the spot, however it’s Impish who runs up to you this time, licking your face like some sort of love-crazed dog. “He’s your best friend and one of your toughest Pokémon, maybe you should pick him!” it continues giddily, the translucent imp and saliva dissipating.

“Or a friend from the future? The future is always changing... but this one is from a future where you never had a chance to reunite with your Pokemon. How sad?” Celebi enthusiasm dissipates, the silhouette of a gallant warrior pacing forward. He looked hardened and mysterious, his body veiled in a red cloak. Bowing in unquestionable loyalty, the Gallade fizzles into darkness like the two before it. “He seems the toughest for sure, and mysterious too! Pick him!”

“Ignore the spirit”, Iris says, Celebi blowing a raspberry in response, “No one else can influence your decision, but just remember, once it’s been made there’s no going back...”

---

“A good decision”, Iris says; your only Pokeball now grasped tighter than any other had been, “The spirit can teleport us to the edge of the Garden, but we’ll need to travel the rest on foot”. Now in true haste, she fingers the oil lamp in one hand and outstretches the other in your direction. You faithfully grab her hand, the fairy buzzing into the lamp as your surrounding displaced in the blink of an eye... You dizzily stumble to your feet, daylight stinging your eyes and the wildgrass cutting against your garments. Iris was stood tall just a stones throw ahead, the oil lamp no longer in her possession. Whilst the castle could be seen in the distance, nothing stood ahead of Iris... except for... Sky? Perhaps you’d reached a cliff-edge, you trick yourself into hearing the crashing waves beating away against a rocky face of rock – almost as though some supernatural subconscious was already alerted and terrified of what lay ahead. Iris seemed to physically emanate how such a subconscious would feel, her face coloured whiter than usually, gulping as she courageously upped her stride. She didn’t seem like your typical immortal.

“I’m sure you’re aware that you’re not in Lyanazia anymore, Stacy” Iris said casually, “My kingdom is hidden in the sky, higher than the tip of even the beak of Mount Eyrie could dare to reach... I’m sure it is not the strangest thing you’ve heard, didn’t you say you came from the Cloud Garden?” She smiles, one which you can’t reciprocate as this seemingly unimportant revelation only posed the question of how you were going to get to Lyanazia. “Close your eyes, and jump on the count of three”, she says almost anxiously, by which point the sound of footprints had come to a standstill. The wind gushed against the cliff face like crashing waves, as if the Island was suspended by a sea of thick clouds kicking up a rough storm. Close your eyes? That hardly seemed fair. Your instincts where itching you to do otherwise, you had a right to see what was ahead. If you’d chose to follow such instincts you’d feel your legs quiver like jelly as a sense of vertigo coursed through your veins causing your heart to sink with both fear and regret. An unnatural purple vortex veiled what would have otherwise been a birds-eye view of the Lyanazian continent and its neighbouring Islands thousands of miles below – some of which you’d visited years ago. However the purple carpet was much too prevalent; tongues of electricity coursing through it with the unvarying rumble of thunder. It pulsed with life despite its emanation of threat. If you’d dared yourself to look over the cliff over Iris’s best wishes you’d surely be flooded with second thoughts. Had death by some means immortalised your pain threshold? It certainly didn’t settle your intense emotions, or your sense of better judgement which was begging you to think things through. Iris had her eye’s shut tightly, loosely swaying backward and forward in a somewhat unsettling trance which was sure enough drowned out by the bellowing maelstrom afoot...

“Three, Two, One”

Thank you very much for continung my adventure emp, I do love it so ^-^ I heart you (reading too many House of Night Novels =p).

Stacey stared out at the bright green life that filled her surroundings as she waited for Iri's response to her questions. She couldn't help but let the selfish feelings bubble to the surface, this wasn't all about her, it was affecting others too, that much she could tell from Iris herself but for right now all she could do was feel pity. Was she truely dead, the wound beneath her bare breast would be enough to convince any medical professional, it was fatal afterall. But here she sat conversing with a goddess ... maybe that did mean she was dead after all how could she be speaking to an immortal in any other circumstance? She felt Iris move and broke her mournful gaze away from the life outside to focus on her face. She tried the tea before her bult felt it slide down her throat completely tastless and she tried to hide her grimace.

“I’m sorry, it seems my attempt at calming your unsettled soul has only aggravated it...” she pauses apologetically, “Your loss of appetite was to be expected, and I’m sure you’ll soon find death brings out the worst in people; detached from the natural beauty of the world, surrounded by a mess of bleakness and grief. And I’m afraid to add this could be it, there’s not much I can do for you now Stacey. Cheating death is a very dark practice, there are consequences too...” This was not what she wanted to hear. Some much for being a comfort to her she was really regretting getting out of that warm comfortable bed. Perhaps she could slip away and crawl under the sheets and never leave, she was 'permenantly' dead afterall. Would her current state really bring out her worst aspects? She didn't want to stay like this and find out, there was darkness within her, a small part, but it was still there and she didn't want to allow it to consume her. She began t speak again but Stacey wasn't sure she wanted to hear more even if she wanted answers to her questions.

“Well... there’s no easy way to answer those questions”, she says, stirring her cup now for no other reason than a casual distraction, “I’ve had my powers for as long as I can remember, I was born long before time itself along with the other immortals. The ancient civilisations cultivated around these jungles worshipped me as a goddess”, she continues, blushing modestly, “I share a symbiotic relationship with nature. One cannot live without the other, and even now as my beautiful jungle has been plagued I feel weaker and weaker. I’m becoming mortal now Stacey, and I won’t me much use in combat for much longer” Stacey found the distraction of talking about Iris greatly needed, she was in some intruiged by her, she was something new, something powerful and as she talked she found herself a little more enamoured by her. Stacey had seen some of the plague she mentioned first hand, the forest had been trampled and destroyed in places and it seemed that it was seriously affecting Iris.

“Syrian – the cloaked demon - is not an immortal, although he is thousands of years old” she answers, and before Stacey could ask more on the subject she closed her mouth allowing her to finish. “I should explain, when humans first started colonising on this Island, I felt urged to endow them with bountiful harvests - I fell in love with them. My naivety only led to their downfall. They advanced rapidly, their unstable empire splitting into factions and waging war. Every tree they set ablaze felt like a pin prick... For the first time I felt angry, heartbroken, and through my experimental urges the mighty empire fell with no exertion. Whilst most of the civilians were wise enough to retreat, a few retaliated... I killed anyone in my way, it fills me with regret”.

It was not surprising her recollection of history, mankind could be anything but, some people were greedy for power and independance and would fight over anything and everything. It was such a pity that they had destroyed the forest in their war and she undertsood the desire for revenge, she had given them a gift for it to be thrown back in their face. Stacey had acted rashly in the past too and had regrets so it was no suprise that even an immortal could feel that too.

“However, one of the civilians, a young child, survived. Filled with so much hate and fuelled with revenge he delved into the darkest types of magic. His immortality comes from a deal he made with a dark Shadow Court as he was growing too old to fulfil his retribution; they will keep him young with sacrifices of other peoples' youth. Syrian has been very hard to keep track of over the years, always travelling as his plan slowly came into fruition. Every century or so, he would settle in a region, starting a family whilst surreptitiously recruiting lost souls for his evil cult. History would continue to repeat itself; time and time again would he sacrifice both his family and followers through his ties with the Shadow Court. Through these unnatural dealings he has become less and less human."

Stacey felt a thread of anger at the story of how Syrian came to be how he was. She can understand, he was onyl a child afterall and he saw his goddess murder his fellow man, it would be enough to piss anyone off, but to inflict his evil on others! She had been in the position of being used as a puppet for evil, being tricked into believing what she was doing was right. His followers were most likely like her, unaware believing they are following the right man. Stacey shuddered as she remembered his visage, the demon he was now was a frightening creature no longer human.

"However a human sacrifice will no longer suffice, the time has come for him to execute his boiling revenge”. She pauses, taking a sip of her tea to sooth the corporeal goosebumps dimpling down her nimble arms.

“As for Giratina”, she continues, “The gatekeeper has an uncanny attraction to death and destruction. His appearance has been seen as a bad omen for thousands of years, but that’s not necessarily true. I got a ‘sense’ that Giratina was trying to help us earlier, but I can’t keep myself from wondering if Syrian planned on this all along. The ghost has some unnatural abilities; I can only assume Giratina will play a pivotal role in Syrian’s plot. Perhaps the two have crossed paths before”, she dazes up at the sky, the sun quickly climbing to its zenith.

Stacey felt her stomach do little somersaults as Iris spoke of Giratina, it was a beautiful, devine creature and she was not surprised by its description. It was a ghost afterall it would seek out death and destruction more than any other of its type. She could picture it perfectly its bold wings, the golden scales perfectly framing its form, she almost missed the rest of Iris' speech as she daydreamed about the ghost, she would give anything to see it again. She had been too enamoured by the beast to truely understand its purpose bu when Iris spoke of Syrian trying to use Giratina she felt her feelings shift to anger she felt almost possessive of the legend, she wouldn't let it corrupted and tainted like everything else.

Her train of thought was interupted by Iris who seemed very eager to get moving and Stacey put the now cold teacup down. Iris appeared anxious and her body shook as she stood dropping her teacup in the process. Stacey stared at the broken pieces of porcelain with concern in her eyes, the goddess seemed to be falling to pieces before her eyes. Meeting her eyes she saw the flush of embarrassment across her cheeks before a mask of seriousness replaces it. She catches herself from falling due to dizziness before storming back inside angrily. Stacey paused for a moment tilting her head silently observing the now frail looking woman before following her shutting the glass doors behind her frowning at her own reflection.

Stacey continued to follow Iris down stairs and through locked doors shivering as her barefeet touched the cold cobbled floors. The surroundings became increasingly dim as she appeared to be in more of a prison now than a princess' castle and even Iris didn't look to pleased to be down here. They walked in relative silence as the floors became covered in moss feeling soft underfoot the ceiling looking more dangerous, like it could cave in at anytime. They arrived at a deadend and Stacey didn't even want to suggest that they had taken a wrong turn when Iris seemed to carress the wall, the greenery spreading across her fingers before a door appeared and she swung it open piquing the young-dead trainers interest.

“Welcome to the Sanctuary”, the deity drolls, “Whilst your Pokémon are unharmed, in your deathly state your ties with them have been severed. Quite ironic indeed, considering you’re a ghost type specialist”. Stacey didn't find the irony amusing at all and Iris had enough sense not to laugh either. She set off into a pace around the circular room that looked eerily like the tombs in another world. What set it apart was a scale model of the jungle in its centre that Stacey found herself wanting a closer look at.

“I can’t... remember... the last time I set foot in this place, Stacey. I haven’t needed to”. She starts to route through countless documents and books that had fallen from a bookshelf and now decorated the floor. She appeared to be searching for something, a diamond in the rough Stacey assumed. She picks up a dull looking oil lamp and smiles before placing it on the centre of the jungle model. Stacey took a few steps towards before it began to rattle violently making her jump back in surprise and a bright green orb of energy the size of a fist erupts from the tip before floating towards her. Stacey longed to reach out and touch the magical orb as it danced around her. It was then that Stacey noticed it wasn't energy but a sold form with bright blue eyes rimmed in pitch black a pair of small antennae atop its head. Stacey's eyes widened as she realised what she was looking at as it giggled cutely in her face before floating back over to the lamp.

"No way ..." Stacey whispered softly.

“Spirit”, Iris pleas, “We need your assistance in summoning a warrior, my friend Stacey has been separated from her Pokémon”. Even though she was talking about her she couldn't snap out of her stupor. There were legends everywhere here. Was she truely staring at a Celebi, the little psychic fairy that could travel through time?

Celebi nods before turning to face her once again causing the breath to catch in her throat her eyes burning so intensely Stacey felt that she was burning in the fire of them. She spins across the room, leaving green dust in her wake which showers downward. The translucent greenish sand comes together before her eyes, molding itself into three animated, jelly-like silhouettes. The fairy's luminance softens as she hovers a few feet above the dim oil lamp.

“I can find one of your friends if you like!”, the fair squeaked sounding almost childlike and it was then Stacey turned her attention away from her to the now more defined silhouettes. “How about a Pokemon from your past, huh?” When she blinked she saw the leftmost form spring into life and Stacey felt a rush of emotions at seeing her young Nina again but in her pre-evolved form. She was a Nincada here and her sisters soul still resided within her. She helf a warmth in her eyes that touched her heart, it looked so much like her, it even gave her that Sassy grin. Stacey's attention was drawn away as Celebi spoke again. “Yeah she’s still not that tough, but could come in handy!” The Celebi agrees with itself, the illustration puffing out of existence saddening her deeply.

“Or a Pokemon from just now, the present! Gee, I like presents!” Celebi danced in the air very happy with herself gigglign as the middle silhouette erupts into the form. Stacey was nearly bowled over by her Sableye as he lept up her legs to rest on her chest licking her face happily whilst chattering very quickly. Stacey laughed back and hugged him tight to her chest feeling tears before her eyes. Oh how she had missed him, he was such a part of her she felt lost without him. He always knew how to cheer her up an was a constant companion by her side ready to defend her against anything and everything. “He’s your best friend and one of your toughest Pokémon, maybe you should pick him!” it spoke in its giddy voice before Impish dissipated leaving Stacey feeling very alone again. She was starting to resent the legend for tasing her like this, showing her Pokemon only to rip them from her grasp.

“Or a friend from the future? The future is always changing... but this one is from a future where you never had a chance to reunite with your Pokemon. How sad?” Celebi seemed to lose its entusiasm as it finished talking of her Pokemon. The final figure popped into existance as Stacey all but gasped at the sight of her future Pokemon. He was tall and lean, the familiar red coat swirlling around him making him look even more handsome. He paced forward and Stacey met his eyes, her Valentine sure made a perfect Gallade with a tough stance, hardened eyes and mystery swirling around him. He takes a moment to bow before her before he disappeared too like the others. enthusiasm dissipates. Celebi seems to get back its pep as it gushes over the final choice. “He seems the toughest for sure, and mysterious too! Pick him!”

“Ignore the spirit”, Iris says, Celebi blowing a raspberry in response, “No one else can influence your decision, but just remember, once it’s been made there’s no going back...”

Stacey felt a heavy weight in the pit of her stomach, how could she choose between her Pokemon to spend her last days with. She had only been given three posible choices out of the 23 Pokemon she was partnered with, she would never see the other 20 again and that thought saddened her sooo much. Pulling herself out of those thoughts she concentrated on the three Pokeballs before her, the left one, the Luxury Ball contained her de-evolved Nincada, oh how nice it would be to reminisce over the times they had spent together but if she would her choice she begrudginly agreed with Celebi, she may not be powerful enough in that form to help her win the war since that was where this was heading.

She then looked to the centre ball, the Premier Ball containing her Sableye, her starter and her best friend. They knew each other so well and she trusted him with her life. He had always been there for her and now she had the opportunity to have him with her once again. He had saved her so many times before and he was her now, he came from her present and wasn't she trying to affect the present to save the future?

Speaking of the future her eyes fell to the last Pokeball, the Fighting Ball that contained her future Gallade, her little Ralts all grown up and taking the guardian-warrior persona to the max. Celebi was right, he exuded power and that would be very useful in the coming fight, she could use all the strength she could get. But doubts pagued her mind, he was from a future where she no longer existed, she was but a memory, how would that have changed him? Woud he still follow her as loyally as before even if 'his' trainer was dead?

Stacey approached the Pokeballs stopping to stand before the centre Premier Ball. She gave a small smile before reaching her hand out to it but before could touch it she paused. Hand still hovering over the Premier Ball she looked over her shoulder to the Fighting ball to her right. A thousand thoughts were running through her mind throwing off her judgement. She should choose her Impish, he was reliable, he was trusting, he was powerful too, he would help her win this war. But .... dropping her hand she let her thoughts turn to Valentine, she would never get to see him grow up and evolve, not now her fate had been sealed for her. Now was a chance to get to know him all grown up, would he be like Lucius like his daddy or like his mother the beautiful Idrial? Here she was presented with the chance to spend time with a Pokemon she would otherwise never get the chance to again. His future might be dark from the failed war, perhaps she could show him the love she felt for him now and bring him a brighter future.

Stacey felt Iris' and Celebi's eyes on her as she pondered over her decision and feeling forced to act sooner. She let the guilt of taking her time wash over her before she swung around clutching a Pokeball to her chest before whispering.

"I choose the future, a brighter one that I will make for the world and my Pokemon" she said the burgandy and gold ball clutched tightly in her grasp as if they might take her Pokemon away from her

---

“A good decision, the spirit can teleport us to the edge of the Garden, but we’ll need to travel the rest on foot”. Hastily she grabs the oil lamp before reaching for Stacey with the other. Still clutching the ball containing her one and only Pokemon in one hand she reached for the Goddess with her other. Celebi disappeared into the lamp as the tomb shifted from view as they were thrown into the depths of the jungle. Stacey immediately felt dizzy and stumbled in the long grasses feeling them cut against her skin and nightie. The sunlight was bright and made her eyes stung, was this a reaction to being dead, did he sunlight effect her like it did vampires in stories? She didn't feel herself burst into flames so rationalised that she was being silly. Iris was standing not to far ahaead and Stacey turned around the see the castle behind them in the distance before turning to face the immortal again. There was nothing bu sky before her, where exactly were they? It looked like she was stood on the cliffs edge and Stacey could swear she could hear the crashing of waves against the bare rock. Iris seemed to physically emanate how such a subconscious would feel, her face coloured whiter than usually, gulping as she courageously upped her stride. She didn’t seem like your typical immortal.

“I’m sure you’re aware that you’re not in Lyanazia anymore, Stacey” Iris said casually, “My kingdom is hidden in the sky, higher than the tip of even the peak of Mount Eyrie could dare to reach... I’m sure it is not the strangest thing you’ve heard, didn’t you say you came from the Cloud Garden?” She smiles at her as Stacey stared over the edge of this floating island. They were in the sky? She is a Goddess after all but how did she expect them to get back to Lyanazia? Part of her had an idea and she prayed she was wrong.

“Close your eyes, and jump on the count of three” she says with a hint of nerves in her voice ...
... 'Oh my God I was right' Stacey thought panic rising throug her chest nearly stopping her un-dead heart. Stacey saw Iris standing on the cliffs edge and could feel the wind blasting against her despite her distance away. The wind created the illusion of the crashing waves. What was to stop the wind smashing their bodies back into the hard unforgiving cliff side when they did jump? And she asked her to close her eyes, her instinct would be to see where she was 'falling' to but did she dare even look to the stormly clouds below and the impending crash of the earth growing ever closer to her? A purple vortex of energy seemed to be braided into the clouds sitting unnaturally there against the blue sky blocking the view of the islands below them. Electricity seemed to spark and lurch from the purple swirls cackling with thunder most likely at the thought of tearing the two woman asunder. It seemed to radiated life despite its threatening appearance. Stacey was already having second thoughts never mind looking over the edge, that would probably seal her decision to stay on the safe floating island forever to wallow in her death. Stacey saw that Iris already had her eyes squoze tightly shut swaying back and forth and not from the wind, almost as if in a trace with didn't raise Stacey's confidence in her choice any.

Stacey walked forward to join her at the edge feeling tears prick at her eyes as she tried not to look down. She took one moment to stare at Iris trying to read her mind and see if she was truely loosing it before sighing deeply. Trembling she shut her eyes and faced forward gripping onto the Fighting Ball in her grasp for dear life nearly breaking it, she could not lose it in the fall .. oh my God they were gong to fall!

'I know I may be un-dead now ... but please don't let my body be broken anymore than it already is' she sent a mental plee to whoever would listen. She didn't want to smash into pieces and be just a talking head after all this, that was when Iris spoke ...

“Three, Two, One” and she felt the ground leave her bare feet as she was greeted with the strong gusts of wind and the wide open sky as jumped off the cliff trusting that the Immortal had followed suit.

John's Knight: Met with a fork in the road you decide to leave fate in the hands of a coin flip, clever! Whilst there were bound to be Pokémon at the Watering Hole, you take your trek into the deeper reaches of Jungle which were bound to house more predatory creatures. Not long passes before the dirt path breaks away, the terrain too uneven for any land vehicle with several dips and spikes in the ahead. You press onward, ankle deep in rough thickets whilst minding the occasional vine snaking across the shrubbery. A few Carterpie scuttle along the undergrowth as the bird types caw overhead. You look above instinctively, barely missing the flock of Spearow which where now concealed by the canopy of leaves. Reaching a drop in terrain you decide to see what lay in store below. From what you could see a couple of Nincada were burrowing into the mucky undergrowth which was likely to be swarming with other bugs. Just ahead a Shroomish was feasting on a pile of dead leaves, and a stretch further on a baby Teddiursa and Spinda were playing inside a hollowed out tree trunk. Moreover you could hear squawks just a tree climb above. The hunt was finally set into motion, what will you do?

As he walked alongside his companion, his attention focused primarily on his ears, waiting for any sound - and proof of someone being there. The terrain becoming somewhat more unstable, he tried to move deeper into the jungle; he spied with his little eye a small group of Caterpie, most likely avoiding to become pray to the small flock of Spearow he had almost missed, now hidden. He spotted a few more pokemon on the area, such as the bug Nincada, a nearby Shroomish, and a cute Teddiursa and Spinda, playing joyfully.

"Look Sonso!" he stealthily whispered to his pokemon. He had the rules of the Safari Game in his mind, and had been thinking of ways to capture the pokemon without actually attacking them. He believed he had come up with a good one, although he would see if he was right in a matter of seconds. "I want you to Yawn a few pink bubbles, and then use your Psychic power to command the movement of the bubbles. Move them towards the Spinda and Teddiursa, and try to lure them out of that trunk. Do NOT hit them directly; let them follow the bubbles and pop them themselves. You think you can do it?" As usual, the answer wasn't more than a lazy Slow, but he had to take it, now waiting for his prey...